Teenagers 'coughing up blood' after using illegal 'bubblegum' vapes

Sep 06, 2023

Teens have been targeted by people selling illegal vapes which carry twice as much nicotine as a packet of cigarettes and left them coughing up blood

Teenagers have been left coughing up blood after being sold illegal vapes.

More than 150 of the dangerous illegal vapes were seized following a raid on a store in Cumbernauld, a town north-east of Glasgow.

The vapes, which were believed to have been targeted towards selling to youngsters, look like highlighter pens and come in flavours like bubblegum.

North Lanarkshire Trading Standards initially began investigating the illegal bubblegum vapes after a tip off from a worried parent who alleged that kids were buying the disposable vapes.

The illegal vapes contain twice the amount of nicotine than is in a packet of cigarettes.

Disposable nicotine vapour products are supposed to not contain anymore than 2ml of liquid, which is the nicotine equivalent of one packet of cigarettes

The 2ml liquid is around 600 puffs, but some of the seized products contained more than 1,500 puffs.

Paul Bannister, Protective Services Manager at North Lanarkshire Trading Standards, said: "Our exercise has successfully removed a number of nicotine vapour products from sale, due to consumer product safety concerns, however I would ask parents to be alert to the risks of young people using them.

"Remember, it is unlawful for nicotine vapour products to be supplied to persons under the age of 18 years.

"Disposable vapes are sold in bright packaging designed to appeal to young people in flavours like strawberry and bubble gum, for as little as £5.

"They contain very high levels of nicotine and we have anecdotal evidence that young people using them have coughed up blood, experienced nose bleeds and nausea.

"We will be writing to retailers with guidance on these products and advising them to return any stock that does not comply with the legal requirements. We will continue to monitor sales of nicotine vapour products and will not hesitate to take enforcement action against any retailer who continues to stock these potentially harmful products."

This is not the first time in recent weeks that illegal vapes have been seized by authorities.

In Aberdeen last week, officers swooped on a shop selling illegal vapes and took £900-worth of the e-cigarettes which had more than five times the legal level of nicotine.

The raid happened amid worries that the vapes were being purposely targeted and sold to children.

Graeme Paton, Aberdeen City Council Trading Standards manager, said: 'It was unacceptable that vapers are unknowingly risking their health by using these unsafe disposable products.

"Illegal and counterfeit products are flooding into the market and consequently pose a potential health risk to customers. Inappropriately branded products are also being purposely marketed towards children.

"Parents may not realise their children are vaping these unsafe devices - they are brightly coloured and closely resemble highlighter pens or make-up products. They cost from £5 to £7 each."

Shops in the city centre have reported to Trading Standards staff they have never had to check the age of so many young customers as they are doing now.

They added youngsters are trying to buy ‘Geek’ and ‘Elf Bar’ products by congregating outside shops on Union Street, trying to get adults to buy the vapes for them.

Any adult caught buying vaping products for underage teenagers face an on-the-spot fixed penalty of £200.

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