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Since their introduction to the U.S. market in 2006, e-cigarettes have evolved significantly from their original purpose as nicotine delivery systems. Over the years, these devices have been increasingly used to deliver a range of illicit drugs, marking a concerning shift in the vaping landscape1.
In the early years, e-cigarettes were seen as a safer alternative to traditional tobacco products. However, the technology’s evolution and increased sophistication opened the door to a host of new, and arguably more dangerous, uses. In particular, the use of e-cigarettes for the consumption of illicit drugs has grown, prompting researchers to delve into what they refer to as the “more nefarious uses and outcomes” of these devices1.
By the mid-2010s, a worrying trend had begun to emerge in the world of vaping: the use of e-liquids to deliver powerful and often illegal substances. One of the most potent of these substances was fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid with a high potential for addiction and a significant risk of fatal overdose.
According to a New Scientist article from December 2016, some vapers began to experiment with recreational drugs, mixing them into e-liquids for use in vapes. This trend, combined with advancements in vaping technology, led to an increase in drug-based e-liquids being advertised for sale on dark web marketplaces. Among these listings, e-liquids containing fentanyl started to appear, marking a dark turn in the world of vaping2.
Fentanyl, known for its potency and its role in thousands of fatal overdoses worldwide, presented a new level of risk to those using e-cigarettes for drug delivery. The ease of consumption offered by vaping, along with the potential for overdose and the often unknown concentration of substances in e-liquids, made this a particularly dangerous development.
The advent of fentanyl e-liquids serves as a stark reminder of the potential misuse of technologies like e-cigarettes. While initially seen as a less harmful substitute for smoking, the rising trend of vaping illicit drugs points to an urgent need for regulation, education, and awareness to mitigate the risks associated with this practice.
(Note: If you or someone you know is struggling with substance misuse, please seek help from a healthcare professional or a local support group.)
