According to a report from betterretailing on August 27, the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) has issued a warning about the rise of illegal "spice" (synthetic cannabinoids) e-cigarettes and the impact they are having on legitimate nicotine e-cigarette retailers. The UKVIA is calling on the government to urgently take action to protect young people, stating that the increase in illegal products is due to the misuse of "open" e-cigarette devices that allow users to add their own e-liquid, which can then transmit synthetic cannabinoids like "spice" and the psychoactive chemical THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) found in cannabis.
According to the UK National Health Service (NHS), "spice" is considered more harmful and unpredictable than marijuana.
John Dunne, CEO of UKVIA, stated that consumers can have peace of mind when purchasing e-cigarettes from reputable suppliers, as the nicotine e-cigarettes they are buying are designed to help them transition from traditional cigarettes. However, he also expressed concern that e-cigarette devices obtained from unofficial channels may contain illegal drugs, and purchasers may have no idea what ingredients are in these products.
According to data from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) in the UK, out of 12,418 underage individuals who had contact with alcohol and drug services between April 2022 and March 2023, cannabis was the most common substance sought for treatment (87%). Among the 10,837 young people reported to have cannabis issues, 1,737 individuals also reported having nicotine issues.
In addition, UKVIA supports the introduction of a national e-cigarette licensing system, which will provide over 50 million pounds annually to combat illegal e-cigarette sales, while imposing a £10,000 fine on convicted unethical retailers.
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