Teenagers cough up blood after using illegal vapes

Scores of teenagers have been left coughing up blood after being soldillegal bubblegum vapes.

Teenagers cough up blood after using illegal vapes
© Aberdeen City Council
Teenagers cough up blood after using illegal vapes

More than 150 of the dangerous illegal vapes have been confiscated in a raid on a store in Cumbernauld, a town in Glasgow.

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Tip-Off

It is believed the vapes which look like highlighter pens were targeted towards young people. The illegal vapes contain twice the amount of nicotine than what is contained in a packet of cigarettes and comes in flavours like bubblegum.

Disposable nicotine vapour products should not contain any more than 2ml of liquid, which is equivalent to 600 puffs. However, some seized products contained more than 1,500 puffs.

Authorities at the North Lanarkshire Trading Standards were tipped off after a worried parent who suspected the kids were buying the vapes illegally.

Paul Bannister, Protective Services Manager at North Lanarkshire Trading Standards, said:

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.

Worrying Trend

It is reported that young people who have used the product are coughing up blood, have 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.

Just last week, officers in Aberdeen raided a shop selling illegal vapes and took £900-worth of the e-cigarettes, which contained 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.Scores of teenagers have been left coughing up blood after being sold illegal bubblegum vapes. More than 150 of the dangerous illegal vapes have been confiscated in a raid on a store in Cumbernauld, a town in Glasgow.

Tip-Off

It is believed the vapes which look like highlighter pens were targeted towards young people. The illegal vapes contain twice the amount of nicotine than what is contained in a packet of cigarettes and comes in flavours like bubblegum.

Disposable nicotine vapour products should not contain any more than 2ml of liquid, which is equivalent to 600 puffs. However, some seized products contained more than 1,500 puffs.

Authorities at the North Lanarkshire Trading Standards were tipped off after a worried parent who suspected the kids were buying the vapes illegally.

Paul Bannister, Protective Services Manager at North Lanarkshire Trading Standards, said:

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.
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