Spice vapes: What are they and how have they affected children?
The British Medical Association has urged the government to ban flavoured and disposable vapes to prevent children from developing nicotine addictions.
Research has found that the number of 11-17-year-olds vaping today is nearly six times more than ten years ago, with brightly coloured packaging and the wide spectrum of sweet shop flavours available – including sherbert, candy cane and bubblegum – being blamed.
Professor David Strain, who leads the association’s Board of Science, told the BBC: “As a doctor, I understand the role vapes can play in helping people to stop smoking - but they have no rightful place in our children and young people’s lives and when it comes to protecting their health, we cannot afford to gamble.”
The Conservative government introduced the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in February, which aims to market vapes with plain packaging and introduce rules to prevent disposable and refillable vapes from being sold with flavours that appeal to children. The Labour government said in July that they would introduce the bill.
However, even more concerning is the rise in vapes containing street drug Spice, which are known as ‘zombie vapes’. A study by the University of Bath in July found that one in six vapes confiscated from pupils across 38 schools in England contained the illegal drug.
In February, five children from south east London were hospitalised after smoking vapes laced with Spice, with one child being put into an induced coma. Two children in Merton were also left unwell after using a Spice vape in January, The Mirror reported.
In a statement, The Welsh Emerging Drugs and Identification of Novel Substances service (WEDINOS) warned that people buying e-cigarettes laced with Spice may have thought they contained cannabis oils or liquids.
They revealed that almost a third of the 196 samples of liquids submitted to them in 2023 contained a class of chemicals to which Spice belongs.
What are zombie vapes?
Spiced-laced vapes have been referred to as zombie vapes because of their severe adverse effects. Zombie vapes are regular e-cigarettes containing liquid mixed with synthetic cannabinoid receptors, also known as Spice.
What is Spice?
Spice is a synthetic, laboratory-made chemical designed to mimic the effects of cannabis. However, it is more harmful and unpredictable than natural cannabis and has been known to leave users in a “zombie-like state”.
The drug is more potent and intense, with prolonged symptoms. According to the NHS, the side effects of synthetic cannabis are
inability to move
dizziness
breathing difficulties
chest pain
heart palpitations
seizures
extreme anxiety
paranoia
suicidal thoughts
psychosis
gastrointestinal issues – like vomiting or diarrhoea
acute kidney injury
How are zombie vapes different from other vapes?
These vapes are different from ordinary ones because of their ingredients. While regular vapes typically contain nicotine with different flavourings, zombie drug vapes are laced with Spice. Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, Spice is classified as a Class B drug.
How are Spice vapes sold?
While legal vapes – which contain nicotine – are regulated in the UK under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016, this does not cover vapes containing illegal THC. “It’s important to flag that there are many brands of e-cigarette and vapes that can be purchased on the black market and which may not be regulated,” Andy Harp, associate medical director at charity WithYou told The Independent.
What cases have there been involving these vapes?
Incidents involving Spice-laced vapes have been reported in various locations across the UK, including Manchester, Middlesbrough, Yorkshire, and Wales.
Last year, dozens of vapes were confiscated from students in Middlesbrough, after several children began collapsing after using them. A number of the seized vapes were sent off for testing for class B substances like Spice.
There have been reports of Snapchat dealers advertising these Spice-laced vapes online, according to Vice.
