Let’s talk about fake vape products. As the vaping industry continues to grow, the amount of innovative vaping products is also increasing to give users the best vaping experience possible. Unfortunately, this also makes room for some people and companies to take advantage of users by selling market counterfeits and fake vaping products.
Many beginners don’t know what to look for to determine whether a vaping product is fake, and so, they could be at risk of irreversibly damaging their health. This can also lead to a bad public image for the vaping industry. An industry that is already facing an uphill battle in terms of public perception, particularly when it comes to cannabis-related products.
The production of fake vape products
Fake vape products are very easy to produce and distribute. Product packaging and empty cartridges can be bought in bulk, and manufacturers can put almost anything in these cartridges. Due to the infancy of the industry, there aren’t strict production safety policies and regulations that manufacturers have to abide by, this means that manufactures can self-dictate their e-liquid formulas and even add dangerous chemicals, and market them as standard vaping products.
Some harmful additives can include pesticides, mouldy vape juice, chemicals commonly used in makeup that are not made for ingestion, heavy metals, and even illegal and harmful drugs. Since anyone can buy empty cartridges and packaging, there really is no telling which products are legitimate unless you buy your products from a legitimate dispensary, and even then it is a good idea to conduct some research on the supplier.
Why do some companies produce counterfeit vaping products?
Counterfeit vape products can lead to growing free trades zones. This can offer tax advantages to these companies and boost their profit margins. Essentially, these companies create subpar and harmful products to make more money.
Since vaping products are not legal for those under the age of 18 to use, they will often resort to buying these products from non-licensed sources. The cheapness and easy accessibility of fake vape products are thus not only harmful to vapers in general, but also teenagers who aim to buy these harmful products because it is their only option.
There will always be gaps within big markets that can lead to counterfeit products, so it is important to do proper research on the products you buy to make sure that you stay healthy and enjoy your experience.
Why are counterfeit vape products an issue?
Fake vaping products can affect the health of the user, as well as the public perception of the vaping industry. Not only are counterfeit vaping products harmful to use, they are also incredibly easy to produce and distribute.
The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TPD) provides a framework to ensure that vaping products are tested adequately to promote vape safety. Manufacturers must undergo certain procedures to inform governing bodies about the ingredients of their products to ensure that no illegal or harmful substances are used.
Fake vaping products do not undergo these testing procedures, which means that the fake vaping products could potentially be harmful and even illegal to produce and distribute. As these products are not regulated to ensure safety, they have an impact on how people perceive vaping products and can give vaping a bad name in general.
The use of counterfeit vaping products has left some people battling with respiratory illnesses, mouth and gum disease, as well as heart conditions. To people who don’t know much about vaping, these can be perceived as side effects of vaping in general, as opposed to being side effects of fake vape products.
How Do I Know If A Vape Product Is Fake?
Vaping can be a safe and enjoyable experience when you moderate your intake and use reputable products. Luckily, fake vape products have some tell-tale signs to help you figure out which products are safe for use.
Packaging
There are strict guidelines for the packaging of vaping products. If your vaping product does not indicate the following factors on its packaging, you might be using fake vaping products:
- Best before date (applicable to vape juice, nicotine salts, etc.)
- List of ingredients
- Nicotine warnings
Serial Numbers
Serial numbers show the position of the manufactured item within its product series. All legitimate products within a production line have serial numbers. If you are doubting your product, you can contact the manufacturer to verify if your product is legitimate.
It is important to note that the information on the packaging might also be incorrect. In this case, it is best to do some online research about the product and the manufacturer or opt to avoid that specific product.
Very Appealing Prices
One of the most common lures of fake vaping products is a lower price than the other products on the market. Although pricing might vary due to the competitive market, prices that are much lower than the average could potentially indicate a fake vaping product. It is good to question why the prices might be lower and do some further research before your purchase.
Reputable Sources
By purchasing from businesses that are reputable and comply with industry standards, you can be sure that you are having a safe vaping experience. Stick to purchasing from legitimate shops and manufacturers to avoid fake vape products.
Symptoms Of A Fake Vaping Product
Aside from identifying the physical qualities of a counterfeit vaping product, there are other ways to identify these products through health-related symptoms and experiences.
Some things to look out for include:
- Mouth and gum issues – Swollen, red and tender gums can indicate that your vaping products may contain harmful ingredients. Bleeding gums, mouth sores and bad breath are also potential side effects of using counterfeit vape products.
- Popcorn lungs – Some harmful products in counterfeit vape products can cause damage to the smallest airways of your lungs. You might notice wheezing, shortness of breath and periods of unexplained rapid breathing.
- Strange tastes – A cartridge that has a metal after-taste, burnt flavour, or a strange sensation in the mouth could indicate a counterfeit product. These strange tastes should not be present in legitimate vaping products, and it is most likely the result of harmful additives or contaminants within the product that cause bad reactions once it heats up into vapour. This can include lead soldering around heating elements or coils, which releases toxic fumes and a bad taste.
- Respiratory illnesses – The combustion and inhalation of certain harmful additives in vape cartridges can cause serious damage to your lung tissue and immune cells. Whereas your white blood cells are responsible for attacking foreign cells that can harm the body, these additives can cause them to become inflamed. These inflamed cells will then start to attack lung tissue and induce respiratory illnesses. If you are experiencing a bad, persistent cough, headaches, constantly feel lethargic, or ill, the cause might be a counterfeit vaping product, and it is recommended that you go to a medical professional.
Nicotine can be a highly addictive substance, especially when used excessively. Vaperite does not support the excessive use of nicotine and related products. Our goal is to provide users with valuable information to make informed decisions for a safe and fun vaping experience.
For more vaping products and devices, visit Vaperite and Vapeshop, the leading vape shop and cannabis paraphernalia outlet chain in South Africa.
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