With major UK festivals like Glastonbury, TRNSMT, and Wireless now banning disposable vapes, experts are issuing a stark warning to attendees about the serious health risks posed by illegal, unregulated alternatives. As fans look for ways around the new rules, specialists are highlighting dangers ranging from toxic chemical inhalation to potential explosions from counterfeit devices.
Pascal Culverhouse, founder of Electric Tobacconist, explained that illegal vapes often contain dangerously high levels of nicotine, far exceeding the UK legal limit of 20mg/ml, which can lead to poisoning and severe dependence. More alarmingly, some unregulated devices have been found to contain undisclosed toxic substances such as lead and industrial solvents, while others have reportedly been laced with drugs like ‘Spice’, GHB, and ketamine, which can cause life-threatening reactions.
The expert also cautioned that these illegal products are often built with cheap, untested components, significantly increasing the risk of overheating, fires, or explosions while in use. To stay safe, festival-goers are advised to check any vape packaging for official UK requirements, including a maximum liquid volume of 2ml and clear health warnings. Any suspected illegal products should be avoided and can be reported to Trading Standards.
Read the official press release in full below:
With the UK in peak summer season, thousands of Brits have (or will be planning to attend) a music festival this summer. Fans attending festivals including Glastonbury, TRNSMT and Wireless Festival were urged not to bring in disposable vapes as they are now prohibited alongside other substances. However, many may still attempt to bring in illegal, unregulated vapes, which often pose serious risks to your health if used.
Looking to uncover more, the experts at Electric Tobacconist reveal the health risks of these illegal vapes.
Pascal Culverhouse, founder of Electric Tobacconist, shares the health risks of using illegal vapes: “Illegal, unregulated vapes are often designed to closely resemble legal disposable vapes, featuring bright colours, similar packaging and familiar flavours sold by manufacturers. However, the key difference between the two is that illegal vapes frequently contain harmful chemicals or untested components that were not intended to be included by a reputable manufacturer.
Because of this, illegal vapes can cause serious health risks if used. Here are some of the key dangers you need to be aware of:
Possible explosions or fires
“Illegal, unregulated vapes are often built using cheap, untested components, unlike regulated devices, their internal wiring and batteries haven’t undergone safety checks. Because of this, it significantly increases the risk of overheating, which can lead to fires or worse, explosions when charging or in use.”
Nicotine Poisoning and Dependence
“Nicotine is a highly addictive substance, which, when ingested, has effects on an individual’s mood, attention and impulse control. Often unregulated, illegal vapes contain far higher levels of nicotine than legally permitted in the UK. This increases the risk of nicotine poisoning, particularly among younger or first-time vapers who may not realise how strong these are. Another risk of ingesting higher-than-permitted levels of nicotine is increased levels of nicotine dependence, particularly among young users whose brains are still developing. (For your safety, the maximum nicotine strength that a disposable or a pre-filled vape pod kit can have is 20mg/ml, or 2% nicotine.)
Toxic Chemicals
“Illegal, unregulated vapes may include other chemicals alongside the labelled nicotine and flavouring chemicals that are undisclosed or banned, such as vitamin E acetate, unsafe levels of lead and nickel and industrial solvents. Inhaling these toxins can pose serious health risks to your lungs and neurological issues, particularly in adolescents. There have also been reports of illegal vapes marketed as containing cannabis oil, containing the drugs ‘Spice’, GHB and ketamine, which, if used, can cause life-threatening health risks including heart attacks, seizures and psychotic episodes.”
Cardiovascular strain
“Unregulated vapes with higher levels of nicotine than legally permitted in the UK can significantly increase our blood pressure and heart rate, which puts extra strain on our cardiovascular system. If illegal vapes are used regularly, this can increase the risk of heart disease over time, especially for individuals with existing heart conditions.”
Increased risk of substance abuse
“There have been studies that show that early nicotine use, especially from high-strength, unregulated vapes, may increase the likelihood of progressing to other addictive substances later in life, including cigarettes, alcohol or drugs. Of course, this risk may increase if you use devices that contain levels of illegal drugs such as Spice, GHB and Ketamine.”
Why is this important?
“The disposable vape ban was put into effect to help clamp down on the issue of youth vaping. However, as we’ve seen in the news, a high percentage of young people are turning to illegal devices instead, which creates a far bigger problem.
Following the ban, we’ve also seen illegal disposable vapes seized and shops closed for selling these, as well as the then-legal disposables. Retailers are only allowed to sell pre-filled vape kits (which are rechargeable versions of disposable vapes that can be swapped in and out with pre-filled ‘pods’) and rechargeable kits that use pods that can be filled multiple times.”
What to do if you spot a suspected illegal vape:
- If you suspect a vape device is illegal or unregulated, here’s what you should do:
- Do not use it – Avoid vaping any product that looks suspicious, lacks proper labelling or contains unusually high levels of nicotine.
- Report it – You can report suspected illegal vapes to:
- Trading Standards (via the Citizens Advice consumer helpline: 0808 223 1133 or online).
- Your local Council or a School Safeguarding Officer if you’re a parent, teacher or student.
- Your local Neighbourhood Police Officer (which can be found on Police.co.uk or by calling 101
- Check the packaging – Legal vapes in the UK must:
- Contain no more than 2ml of liquid
- Have no more than 20mg/ml (2%) nicotine strength
- Display health warnings and ingredients
- Be registered with the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency)
- Warn others – share information with family, friends and those in your community. This will help raise awareness about the dangers, prevent further use, and may even save a life.
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Copyright: (B. Robinson) / Shutterstock.com
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