06 November 2023 , 14:00
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With the UK being flooded by counterfeit and unlicensed vapes which can put consumers at risk, it pays to be able to spot a fake.
It can be extremely difficult to tell knock-off e-cigs from the real deal, which is why there are several, simple-to-remember pointers to help keep you safe. Firstly, Vape UK says counterfeits are generally sold through smaller outlets, such as corner shops, or over the internet. All genuine vapes should clearly display the nicotine strength, which should be no more than two per cent.
E-liquid bottles cannot contain more than 10ml, while vape tanks cannot have a capacity of more than 2ml. Colourings, taurine and caffeine should not be among the ingredients listed in vapes. Most devices have a label on the side of the packaging, which contains a unique authenticity code. This code can be used to check if the product is authentic directly on the brand's website, says genuine Crystal vape manufacturer SKE. The ECID number can also be entered directly into the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency search facility here.
To help raise further awareness around counterfeit vapes, expert Markus Lindblad from vape retailer Northerner UK, explains all the rules you need to know - and how to quickly spot a fake.
The rules in the UK
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The UK introduced the “Tobacco and Related Products Regulations” (TRPR) into UK law in 2017, which changed the UK vaping product rules and policies. The introduction of TRPR means that:
Eliquid bottles cannot contain more than 10ml of eliquid
Vape tanks cannot have a capacity of more than 2ml
All packaging must contain nicotine warnings and be child-resistant
Colourings, taurine and caffeine among other items are banned ingredients in vapes
Eliquids must not have a nicotine strength of more than 2 per cent (20mg/ml)
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) must be notified about products before they are sold to consumers
Anyone purchasing a vape must be over the age of 18
How to spot an illegal vape
The first and easiest thing to do is to check the nicotine strength. This is clearly displayed on all vape labels, just like a bottle of beer. If the product says anything over 2 per cent it is illegal and therefore potentially harmful too. Also check the size of the vape which should be clearly labelled as 10ml. If you’re not confident that either of these first two signs are correct, do not buy it.
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Why is it harmful?
Breaking some of these regulations might not seem of huge importance. Why does it matter if a vape contains 12ml of eliquid rather than 10 ml? The chances of this product being fake are very high. Any fake products that are currently in circulation have not been regulated by any UK registered standards boards or agencies which means that there is no guarantee how safe or harmful this product is, where it was made, or what’s actually inside.
Knowing the difference between legal and illegal
is one of the largest brands of disposable vapes: but why is the Elux 600 legal and Elux 3500 illegal in the UK? The Elux 3500 (if it contains nicotine) is illegal: you cannot get that many puffs from 2 ml of eliquid and so cannot be sold by legitimate UK retailers. If you have seen an Elux 3500 that contains nicotine for sale in the UK, it is against regulatory standards and could even be a fake. Make sure to only buy vapes from legitimate retailers.