Is Your Disposable Vape Fake?
Geek Bar Pro pulled from shelves as UK regulators crack down on fake disposable vapes.
Is your disposable vape safe to use? How can I tell if my vape is real or fake? Are there any warning signs I should look out for? Here's our simple guide to safe vaping and how to check if your vape device is compliant and legal in the UK market.
Why is compliance such a big deal and why is there so much media attention around it?
A recent story in the Daily Mail has put the issue of illegal vaping devices under the spotlight. It highlights how young people have been posting videos on social media with disposable vapes containing the equivalent of 125 cigarettes worth of nicotine, with #geekbar already amassing more than 46 million views on TikTok alone.
The Mail also claimed that some users of these illegal devices “have reported lengthy nosebleeds, coughing up blood, headaches, chest pains and dizzy spells.”
So, who makes the rules around tobacco and vaping in the UK?
The UK’s tobacco and vaping industries are governed by laws known as TRPR (Tobacco and Related Product Regulations) and the TDP (Tobacco Products Directive). You can find the full regulations on the UK Government website. It’s a long read and full of legal jargon – so we’ll go over the basics in this article so you can get up to speed.
You should also know that the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) is the leading trade body in the UK vaping industry, they have provided an in-depth guide to compliant vaping products.
Is my disposable vape safe to use?
How can I check if my vape is compliant?
The easiest way to check if your device is compliant is to check the MHRA website to see if its ECID number is listed there, which you can read more about below.
However, some of the main warning signs to be aware of include a tank/reservoir capacity greater than 2ml and if the device provides more than 600 puffs – though this is not a guaranteed way to spot a non-compliant device as it could have the correct capacity but still not be listed on the MHRA website.
You should also know that it is illegal to sell a vaping product with more than 20mg of nicotine in the UK.
What is an ECID number and how can I find out if my device has one?
To supply a tobacco (or vaping) product to Great Britain, companies are required to notify the MHRA about their intention to sell a vaping device. Once it has been checked, the MHRA will list the device on their website. The device will be listed with a code known as an ECID.
Manufacturers assign their own ECID code to their products, however this alone does not mean a device is compliant. What matters is whether or not the ECID number is listed on the MHRA website. Just because a device has an ECID number, it does not mean it is compliant. If a device has an ECID, but it does not appear on the MHRA’s list, then it is not legal to sell in the UK and it is non-compliant.
What are the warning signs I should look out for?
Packaging
When you buy your device, ensure the packaging contains a nicotine health warning and nicotine content information, including text that says “This product contains nicotine”.
It should also include hazard and precautionary statements, capacity information, nicotine dose per puff, as well as other information – you can find see the full list of packaging requirements for the UK market.
If you’re looking to buy a disposable and it doesn’t have any warnings on the packaging, this could be a warning sign the device is not compliant. You can check the device is compliant by searching for its assigned ECID code listed on the MHRA website.
Capacity
Vaping products must have a tank/reservoir capacity of no more than 2ml. Anything above this is not compliant with TPD regulations.
Any disposable vape device cannot have a nicotine level higher than 20mg/ml (2%). If your device has more than either 2ml capacity or more than 20mg (2%) nicotine then it is not compliant with UK regulations.
Where can I find more information about vaping and compliance?
You can find full information about Tobacco and Vaping products on Part 6 of the TRPR, which governs the use of tobacco products in the UK.
You can read the regulations in full here on the UK government website.
In general, as long as the device’s ECID is listed on the MHRA website, the device does not have a capacity of greater than 2ml/more than 600 puffs and it does not contain more than 20mg of nicotine, then it’s likely your device is compliant and safe to use.
Where can I buy compliant vape products?
You should now have a good idea of what compliance involves within the vaping industry and the red flags that you should look out for when buying a vaping device.
If you’re looking to quit cigarettes for good and start your vaping journey then browse our huge range of vaping devices, from starter kits and mods to disposables, on our website. All devices we sell are TDP compliant and are listed on the MHRA website.
Eco Vape is proud to introduce the all new Hyppe MAXX, our most advanced disposable yet. We’ve worked exclusively with manufacturer Hyppe to design the MAXX from the ground up, focusing on quality and compliance so wholesalers can stock up in confidence. Unlike some of the competition, our latest disposable is CLP/TPD compliant, MHRA listed and available to order across the UK right now.
Packed with 600 puffs and powered by a 500mAh battery, the MAXX launches in five mouth-watering flavours with another five already in development. Finished with a premium and elegant design, we’re incredibly proud to be the UK’s official distributor of the Hyppe MAXX.
Even better, we’re able to offer it at a seriously competitive price that offers market leading potential, available from just £5.99. Max out on the Stoptober hype and try the all new Hyppe MAXX today.
Visit our retail website now to get hold of yours, only at Eco Vape.
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