Vape spiking on the rise: how to stay safe at festivals

According to The Metropolitan Police, reports of spiked vapes increased by 13% in 2023, with the electronic cigarettes being laced with THC and Spice.

With festival season upon us, it is important to be aware of the risks of vape spiking, as well as the proper procedure for recycling your e-cigarettes. The experts at HAYPP have shared their top tips on how to stay safe while vaping at festivals.

Avoid sharing

The number one tip for staying safe is to avoid sharing vapes. While you may know what is in your vape, you do not know what someone else has put in theirs. This is especially relevant when it comes to sharing reusable e-cigarettes as they can be filled manually with any liquid. While the Met Police has identified THC and Spice as the main contributors, there have been over 100 different drugs identified in cases of vape spiking.

In essence, stick to your own vape! 

Inspecting your vape

Whether it’s been with you the whole time, or you left it in your tent, it is vital to look over your vape to ensure it hasn’t been tampered with. If it’s reusable, check your pod to see if the top has been removed, or if liquid has been added or discarded. It’s also advisable to bring a testing kit with you in case you suspect your vape has been spiked.

Identifying if you have been spiked

There are some sure signs to decipher if you have been spiked, these include; shortness of breath, nausea, coughing, or fatigue. If you have any of these symptoms, or are just generally concerned that you may have been spiked, please seek medical attention. Many festivals will have designated areas for first aid, ensure you are aware of these locations, and know that security is always around to assist you.

How to properly dispose of your vape

If you finished with your vape, some festivals have specific guidelines on how to properly recycle them. All household waste and recycling centers have bins for electricals and batteries, if you can safely remove the battery from your vape, recycle it separately. If you can’t, you should be able to just put the entire vape in one of these bins.

The experts at HAYPP comment:

“It is vital to be aware of the increasing risk of vape spiking and to know how to avoid it. With the growing popularity of vaping, people need to know how to identify if a vape has been tampered with, and what to do if you believe you’ve been spiked.

This isn’t to say your entire festival experience should be overshadowed by the looming fear of spiking, rather, it’s about generating awareness for a growing issue and taking the steps to avoid it to cultivate a happier, and safer, vaping community.”

 Credit: https://www.haypp.com/uk/vape/ who conducted the research.