Spice vapes: an emerging threat in English schools

A study from the University of Bath[1] highlights the worrying presence of synthetic cannabinoids, commonly known as "spice," in e-cigarettes confiscated from English schools. These products, sometimes offered to adolescents via social media, expose young people to substances with unpredictable and dangerous effects.

Research conducted by the University of Bath analyzed nearly 2,000 vapes seized from 114 middle and high schools across England. The results revealed that more than one in ten contained spice, a proportion that reached as high as a quarter in some regions such as London and Lancashire. These products, often counterfeit or tampered with to resemble conventional vapes, conceal the presence of synthetic cannabinoids.

What is “spice”?

The term spice refers to a set of synthetic cannabinoids, sometimes called “synthetic cannabis” or “ K2 " These are chemical substances manufactured in laboratories to mimic the effect of THC, the main active ingredient in cannabis. These products are usually sprayed onto dried herbs or dissolved in liquids and then sold as cigarettes, pouches, or e-cigarette liquids.

Unlike natural cannabis, spice is entirely synthetic and has no stable composition. Each batch may contain different molecules, in varying concentrations, resulting in highly unpredictable effects.

Initially appearing in the 2000s in Europe and the United States, spice spread as an inexpensive and difficult-to-detect substitute during checks, particularly in prisons and among young people. Its sale is now banned in most countries, but its circulation continues through parallel networks and, more recently, through inclusion in smuggled vapes.

Diffusion facilitated by social networks

The circulation of vapes containing spice, far from remaining confined to educational institutions, is spreading widely via social media, particularly TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Between June and August 2025, a research team from the University of Bath analyzed accounts offering vapes presented as containing THC – revealing that the majority of these products were in fact adulterated.

• On TikTok, 68 % of the e-liquids listed as THC were actually made from spice.
• On Facebook, this proportion is lower but remains alarming, with 12 % of products marked "THC" consisting of spice.

These figures are directly related to data collected in schools, where 13% of the 1,923 vapes confiscated contained spice. This proportion reached as high as 25% in regions such as London and Lancashire. By comparison, only 1.2% of the vapes seized contained actual THC.

TikTok's algorithm and viral nature favor the rapid spread of visually appealing content. Many accounts advertise these products as legal, accompanied by colorful aesthetics, seductive aromas, or references to youth cultural trends. This type of promotion tends to trivialize the consumption of these products and minimize the perception of risks.

Ease of access is another key factor: young people can discover these offers through a simple search, establish direct contact via private messaging, and complete payment without leaving the app. Purchasing a counterfeit vape can thus be completed in a matter of minutes, with little or no age control or transaction traceability.

Furthermore, despite being reported to the platforms, approximately 70 % of the accounts identified during the investigation remained active as of September 1, 2025, accessible via simple keyword searches. This situation demonstrates flaws in moderation mechanisms and calls into question the effectiveness of online control policies.

Serious health effects and a major societal issue

Inhaling vapes containing spice exposes young people to particularly worrying health risks. This synthetic cannabinoid, more potent and unpredictable than natural THC, can cause a wide range of adverse effects, from anxiety and hallucinations to severe disorders such as seizures, blackouts, heart attacks, and emergency hospitalizations. Several cases reported in British schools show that these incidents sometimes occur after a single puff, highlighting the extreme dangers of these adulterated products.

Beyond the medical dimension, the appearance of spice in vapes consumed by adolescents raises a major societal issue. These rigged devices circulate under an innocuous appearance, with attractive flavors and colorful packaging, making their detection nearly impossible for parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals. The lack of visible markers increases the vulnerability of young people, who may consume without realizing they are being exposed to a synthetic drug with potentially serious effects.

This situation illustrates more broadly the ability of criminal networks to exploit regulatory loopholes and target vulnerable populations through deceptive marketing strategies. It highlights the need to strengthen collective vigilance, develop prevention tools adapted to adolescents, and consolidate regulatory mechanisms to limit the spread of these substances. According to the authors, spice in school vapes is not only a threat to individual health; it now constitutes a global challenge in terms of public health, education, and youth protection.

Towards a necessary institutional response

The presence of smuggled spice-laced vapes in schools underscores the need for a coordinated public response, experts say. Beyond raising awareness among families and teachers, who must be informed of the specific risks associated with these products, regulating digital environments appears to be a priority.

The UK's Online Safety Act 2023 plays a central role in this effort. It gives Ofcom, the communications regulator, sweeping powers to combat the sale of illicit drugs on social media. Platforms are now required to assess the risks of their services being used to promote or sell illegal substances, including vapes laced with spice. In the event of non-compliance, Ofcom can impose particularly dissuasive penalties of up to £18 million or 10 billion of the company's annual global turnover, whichever is higher.

At the same time, the UK's proposed Tobacco and E-Cigarettes Bill could complement these measures by more strictly regulating the marketing of vapes and limiting young people's access to these products. A combined approach, combining digital regulation, health surveillance, and strengthening prevention policies, appears essential to reduce adolescents' exposure to dangerous synthetic substances.

©Generation Without Tobacco

AE

[1] Press release, Up to 1 in 4 vapes confiscated in schools containing spice - and these are pushed on social media, University of Bath, published 5 September 2025, accessed 8 September 2025