Nearly one in four vapes confiscated from pupils in English schools contain illegal substances such as the synthetic cannabinoid Spice, a new White Paper report reveals.
Report Reveals One in Four Confiscated School Vapes Contain Illegal Drugs
Although e-cigarettes are strictly illegal for anyone under 18, data shows that one in five British children aged 11 to 17 have tried vaping, with six per cent vaping regularly, as reported by AOL.co.uk and the Kilburn Times.
Research conducted by the University of Bath examined 1,923 confiscated vapes and e-liquids collected from 114 schools across England. The study found that 13 per cent of those tested contained Spice, with the positive rate jumping to around one in four in London and Lancashire.
Campaigners Warn Unregulated Products Are Funneling Cash to Organised Crime
Dr Ahmed Ezzat, a London-based surgeon and founder of Health Creator Leaders, stated that illegal products reaching children pass zero safety checks and are sold by unlicensed shops with no accountability. He described the situation as a safeguarding and enforcement failure that acts as a gift to organised crime, noting that products are sold to 11-year-olds whose harms will not fully surface for a decade.
The campaign group urges the Government to confront the reality of organised crime behind many vape shops. The report states that illegal vapes serve as dependable cash generators that launder the proceeds of drug supply, exploitation, and human trafficking through town centres.
Government Proposes Tougher Restrictions as Public Consultation Closes
The Government faces criticism from campaigners for moving too slowly to implement new enforcement measures. The Tobacco and Vapes Act received Royal Assent in April, granting ministers powers to introduce retail licensing, tighten product requirements, and restrict advertising. However, the Government intends to consult on the retail licensing scheme in 2027.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health and Social Care concluded a public consultation on broader retail rules, including standardising device designs, mandating plain white packaging similar to cigarettes, restricting flavour names, and hiding products from view in shops. Government impact assessments estimate that display restrictions could lead to 38,000 fewer children trying vaping. A separate analysis of tobacco packaging estimated an 11 per cent reduction in smoking prevalence from plain packaging rules.
A Government spokesperson stated that decisive action has been taken to prevent children from vaping, including making sales to under-18s illegal, abolishing single-use vapes, and banning advertising and sponsorship by vape companies starting next year. The spokesperson added that the Government is legally obliged to consult in detail on proposed retail licensing schemes and packaging restrictions due to the impact on business.
Professional Bodies Call for Stricter Packaging and Retail Rules
Professional organisations have added their voices to the debate surrounding product presentation and retail controls. The college supports restrictions on branding that make products resemble toys or lifestyle accessories, and stresses that community pharmacies must maintain a clear distinction between clinical smoking cessation support and commercial vape sales.
Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health, noted that more than 1,700 health and education professionals signed an open letter backing government proposals to tighten rules on packaging, appearance, and display. Stamp Out Vapes has launched a petition demanding tighter safety standards, compulsory retailer licensing, and tougher enforcement to submit to Westminster.
Frequently Asked Questions About the UK Youth Vaping Crisis
What percentage of school children currently vape in the UK?
Nearly one in five British children aged 11 to 17 have tried vaping, and six per cent vape regularly, according to figures cited by Stamp Out Vapes and the London Assembly Health Committee.
Which illegal drug has been found in school vapes?
University of Bath research found that 13 per cent of confiscated vapes and e-liquids collected from 114 English schools contained the synthetic cannabinoid Spice, with rates reaching roughly one in four in London and Lancashire.
When will the UK government introduce the new vape retail licensing scheme?
The Government plans to consult in detail on a new retail licensing scheme in 2027, following the Royal Assent of the Tobacco and Vapes Act in April.
What measures are proposed to make vapes less attractive to minors?
Proposals include selling vapes in plain white packaging, restricting flavour descriptions, banning open displays in retail outlets, and prohibiting products from resembling toys or lifestyle accessories.