Vapes

Vapes are electronic devices designed to allow people to inhale nicotine in a vapour. Using a vape is known as vaping. Vapes are also available without nicotine.

Also called:

e-cigarettes
e-cigs
e-hookah
e-liquids
puff bars
vape pens
vape pods
vape sticks

Quick info

How the drug works varies from person to person

How you might feel: Euphoric, relaxed and/or confused, sleepy.; Read more about how it feels

Effects on your body: Effects are similar to natural opioids, such as heroin and morphine, but can be much stronger, especially when mixed with other drugs, with a higher risk of overdose. Side effects can include respiratory depression, nausea, dizziness, confusion, itching, and tiredness.; Read more about effects on your body

How long it takes to work: This depends on how it is taken but the effects can be very quick – quicker than heroin.; Read more about how long it takes to work

How long the effects last: How long the effects last and the drug stays in your system depends on how much you’ve taken, your size and what other drugs you may have also taken.; Read more about how long the effects last

Common risks: Overdose and death. Injecting synthetic opioids can damage your veins and arteries.; Read more about the risks

Mixing drugs: Mixing drugs is always risky but some mixtures are more dangerous than others.; Read more about mixing with other drugs

What does it look like?

Vapes work by heating a solution (e-liquid) that typically contains propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, flavourings and nicotine. This creates a vapour which is inhaled.

Vapes come in different shapes and sizes including:

Vape bars – these are shaped like a highlighter pen and are usually disposable, but sometimes rechargeable and refillable with e-liquid capsules
Compact pod devices – these are shaped like a flash drive or pebble and can be disposable or rechargeable and refillable with e-liquid capsules
Vape pens – these devices contain a ‘tank’ that you can fill with an e-liquid of your choice with a replaceable coil and rechargeable battery
Cigalikes – these are designed to look like cigarettes and can be disposable or rechargeable. E-liquids come in different nicotine strengths ranging from 0 mg/ml to 20 mg/ml and come in different flavours.

There are also more sophisticated customisable devices with variable power, but these are used more by people who have been vaping for a long time.

How does it make you feel?

When you vape, the nicotine in the vape is what gives you the buzz. This feeling comes from a release of adrenaline which stimulates the body and causes your blood pressure and heart rate to increase, making you breathe faster. Nicotine also activates areas of your brain that are involved in producing feelings of pleasure and reward. If you haven’t vaped nicotine before, you might feel one or more of the following effects:

dizziness
headache
racing heart
nausea/possible vomiting
stomach cramps
weakness

People who use nicotine regularly build up a tolerance to the immediate short-term effects so after a while you might feel:

mild stimulation
increased ability to concentrate
relaxation
temporary reduction in the urge to vape

Some of the side effects to vaping are:

coughing
dry mouth and throat
shortness of breath
mouth and throat irritation
headaches

Physical health risks

Nicotine vaping is recommended by the NHS as a way for adults to stop smoking. But it isn’t recommended for non-smokers, especially children and young people under 18.

Vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking but that doesn’t mean it’s harmless.

Smoking gives you nicotine by burning tobacco, which creates many harmful toxins that can cause serious illnesses including cancer, lung disease, heart disease and stroke.

Vaping gives you nicotine by heating e-liquid, which creates fewer toxins and at lower levels. In general, smokers who switch to vaping reduce their exposure to a wide range of toxic substances. This includes tar and carbon monoxide, very harmful compounds which are produced by cigarettes but not by vapes.

But vaping still exposes users to some toxins and we don’t yet know what the risks might be in the longer term.

Nicotine is an addictive substance which can be hard to stop using once you’ve started. Also, nicotine may be riskier for young people than for adults – there’s some evidence that in adolescence the brain is more sensitive to its effects. Nicotine is a toxin and poisoning can happen if larger doses are taken. Find out more about nicotine.

Nicotine vaping products are covered by regulations to protect users, including maximum nicotine strength and bans on certain ingredients. But some disposable vapes on sale are illegal and don’t meet UK quality and safety regulations. They might look like the real thing, but they aren’t so it isn’t possible to know what’s actually in them. Non-nicotine vapes are not covered by the same regulations as nicotine vapes and are not without risk.

Can you get addicted?

Nicotine is an addictive substance and you can become dependent on vapes, especially if you vape nicotine regularly.

Giving up nicotine can be difficult because the body has to get used to functioning without it. Withdrawal symptoms can include cravings, irritability, anxiety, trouble concentrating, headaches and other mental and physical symptoms. Find out more about nicotine.

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Vapes

Quick info

What does it look like?

How does it make you feel?

Physical health risks

Is it dangerous to mix with other drugs?

What happens if I mix Vapes and

Can you get addicted?

Additional law details

Vapes

Quick info

How it looks, tastes and smells

How do people take it?

How it feels

Duration

The risks

Mixing

Addiction

The law