Counterfeit electronic cigarettes

[boo2600]

Excerpt of -- https://alpvision.com/counterfeit-electronic-cigarettes-are-everywhere

Be careful out there. LOL, a deal to good to be true might cause serious discomfort at best. I see disposable vapes for sale at places that sell counterfeit everything, from perfume to tennis shoes to phones to stay-hard pills. More on the company's security features.

The dangers of counterfeit electronic cigarettes​

With so many people buying and using electronic cigarettes, the risks posed by counterfeit electronic cigarettes are a growing concern. Cheaply made components, low quality materials, and unclear nicotine levels pose serious risks to consumers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have identified close to 1,500 lung injuries that were caused by vaping, with over 30 of these cases resulting in death.

Dangerous chemicals are present in counterfeit electronic cigarettes​

Illegitimate vape pods aren’t made to the same quality standard as authentic ones. Often, these black-market versions are filled out with harmful substances, such as toluene, which can damage the central nervous system and trigger heart issues.

Nicotine levels aren’t as advertised and some cartridges are laced with THC​

Investigations into counterfeit vape products have revealed that black-market cartridges often do not contain the amount of nicotine specified on the label, which poses a danger to users who are trying to control their nicotine intake. These inquiries also revealed that THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis, is sometimes present as well.

Cheaply made components can malfunction in life-threatening ways​

Battery malfunctions are a major cause of the death and injuries associated with e-cigarettes. Counterfeit e-cigs typically use lithium ion cell batteries that are recycled and repurposed from other electronics as a way to save money. Worn down batteries are both an electrical and a fire hazard and they have been linked to cases of e-cigarettes and vape pens exploding in the user’s mouth.

Current solutions for combating counterfeit electronic cigarettes​

With the increasing concern from both consumers and government agencies about the safety of electronic cigarettes, the industry has made a push in recent years to address the problem of counterfeiting. They include:

Applying security labels to packaging​

Security labels give manufacturers of vape products better control over their inventory, allowing them to track and authenticate their products and separate out bootleg versions. These security labels typically include technologies such as 3D images, data capture, and e-verification. The problem with security labels is that the give a false sense of security. Very often counterfeit products have a fake security label and therefore easily deceive consumers.

Building chips into product components​

One of the newer approaches to stopping counterfeit electronic cigarettes is the use of built-in chips that interact between the cartridge and battery. These chips instantly let the user know if the product they have purchased is authentic, and they are difficult to imitate because of the security features that are integrated into them. Chips have two main drawbacks, cost and robustness.

Protect yourself from counterfeit electronic cigarettes​

AlpVision Solutions offers reliable protection against counterfeit electronic cigarettes, from AlpVision Fingerprint technology applied to the plastic components to Cryptoglyph printing on packaging and labels.

 

[zoiDman]

... Cheaply made components, low quality materials, and unclear nicotine levels pose serious risks to consumers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have identified close to 1,500 lung injuries that were caused by vaping, with over 30 of these cases resulting in death. ...

This is a Good Example of how using Slang or Urban Terms can mean One thing to One Segment of readers. And Another thing to Another segment.

Those who use an e-Cigarette Exclusively to ingest Nicotine usually think solely of themselves when they read about "vaping". But that Isn't the group that the CDC is (purposely being misleading) referring to.

BTW - Your link is broken. I think this is the one you want...

CDC Archives

 

[jdrewry]

With all due respect from the poster....
When you post articles that are from 2019, there's a lot to ignore that's been posted. And, I'm pretty sure that the majority of vapors (that I know) are smart enough to tell the difference between real or fake products. Most vapors generally get products from companies that they've been buying from for a long while.
Again, no disrespect, but your post is kind of suspect to me.

 

[boo2600]

This is a Good Example of how using Slang or Urban Terms can mean One thing to One Segment of readers. And Another thing to Another segment.

Those who use an e-Cigarette Exclusively to ingest Nicotine usually think solely of themselves when they read about "vaping". But that Isn't the group that the CDC is (purposely being misleading) referring to.

BTW - Your link is broken. I think this is the one you want...

CDC Archives

I know that the link is broken, and I'm aware that you visited it before posting your comment. Thank you!

I wouldn't say that they're being misleading. The difference in terminology depends on whether one is within or outside of a subculture.

 

[boo2600]

With all due respect from the poster....
When you post articles that are from 2019, there's a lot to ignore that's been posted. And, I'm pretty sure that the majority of vapors (that I know) are smart enough to tell the difference between real or fake products. Most vapors generally get products from companies that they've been buying from for a long while.
Again, no disrespect, but your post is kind of suspect to me.

According to statistics, most 'vapers' are using pods and disposables. What happened in 2019?

Overview: In the summer of 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began investigating a sharp increase in hospitalizations linked to the use of vaping products. Patients reported various respiratory symptoms, including shortness of breath, cough, and chest pain.

We know that most of these cases were not related to nicotine vaping. However, the general public often remains unaware of this distinction. Politicians may also be aware but capitalize on the situation to introduce legislation that appears to prioritize public health.

If you suspect me, I'll confess: I vape. Vaping has significantly improved my life, and I'd hate for it to become illegal. Many well-known companies are investing heavily in preventing counterfeit products from being sold. Businesses rely on their reputation for quality and safety, so counterfeit products can cause significant damage.

The 2019 events have already raised public suspicion about vaping, and politicians might welcome another 'vape scare.' It's a no-win situation for everyone involved.

Do you suspect me in what way? I'm open about my vaping habits. My career was technical, not law enforcement, and I'm now retired. Is there anything else you'd like to know?

I've witnessed firsthand the harm that counterfeit products can cause to businesses. I've played a small part in combating counterfeiting in the past, often pro bono. My question is: Does anyone truly care about this issue? It seems that the vaping subculture that existed even just a few years ago has changed significantly. I would even go so far as to say its almost non-existent. Maybe it's just not worth my time. I am starting to believe that from the sentiment I have seen.

As far as this forum is concerned, I'll be focusing on the DIY e-liquid side of things that are still active here. Achieving self-sufficiency has always been a top priority for me in most areas of my life.

Carry on..

 

[zoiDman]

I know that the link is broken, and I'm aware that you visited it before posting your comment. Thank you!

I wouldn't say that they're being misleading. The difference in terminology depends on whether one is within or outside of a subculture.

You can call it a "difference in terminology" if you like. But for someone like myself, and the others here on the ECF who saw this entire Sad Spectacle unfold from Day-1, it would be hard to call it anything but what it was.

A Highly Motivated, Well Funded and Coordinated Effort by the CDC to deceive the Public as to What was Harming Whom. And the CDC even Continued to Promote Redfield's Mis-Information even after our friend Rochelle (Wax On / Wax Off ) Walensky took over.

It is truly Sad to think how many people turned away from Nicotine e-Cigarettes after hearing how "Vaping" was the cause of newly emerging EVALI Outbreak.

 

[boo2600]

You can call it a "difference in terminology" if you like. But for someone like myself, and the others here on the ECF who saw this entire Sad Spectacle unfold from Day-1, it would be hard to call it anything but what it was.

A Highly Motivated, Well Funded and Coordinated Effort by the CDC to deceive the Public as to What was Harming Whom. And the CDC even Continued to Promote Redfield's Mis-Information even after our friend Rochelle (Wax On / Wax Off ) Walensky took over.

It is truly Sad to think how many people turned away from Nicotine e-Cigarettes after hearing how "Vaping" was the cause of newly emerging EVALI Outbreak.

You're correct; the 2019 scare was all about counterfeit THC vapes. If we face something similar in magnitude again, we're in trouble. It will be the end. That's my concern. I stopped vaping in public after that because strangers would tell me I'd die. I used to hang out on a vape-related phone app, but it got shut down. It was a difficult period.

 

[zoiDman]

You're correct; the 2019 scare was all about counterfeit THC vapes. ...

I just Don't Think you can Qualify what happened in those terms.

Counterfeit, at least to me, implies that you are Selling something or Advertising something to be a Name or a Brand that it Isn't. And that isn't what is happened.

All but 2 or 3 of those who admitted to using THC said that they obtained them from individuals as No-Name Cartridges. ie "Street Carts".

You have to remember that it was a different time back then. And even in a State where some THC items were legal (or quasi-legal) people are hesitant to admit that they got sick after taking some Bellringer Hits off a Street Cart they illegaly bought. All while being wheeled into the ER coughing up blood.

It would also be good to Remember what was happening at the FDA at this time. And the Wild Policy Swings it and CTP were going thru. But that's probably a story better suited for another day.

 

[boo2600]

"Counterfeit, at least to me, implies that you are Selling something or Advertising something to be a Name or a Brand that it Isn't. And that isn't what is happened."

A lot of them were. A website was set up to help people determine what was counterfeit and what wasn't. It might still be active. Package dates, batch numbers, manufacturing dates, and lot numbers were even forged. I believe there were tens of thousands of empty legitimate cartridges stolen and placed on the black market.

For the most part, the juveniles involved initially refused to admit to using the illegal carts. They only admitted to vaping nicotine. Many eventually came forward, but the damage had already been done.

Being caught with unprescribed cannabis concentrates could result in a prison sentence where I live, as it can in other states.

We also need to remember that public perceptions are not always based on reality. It almost seems like people are now more against vaping than they are smoking.

 

[boo2600]

You can call it a "difference in terminology" if you like. But for someone like myself, and the others here on the ECF who saw this entire Sad Spectacle unfold from Day-1, it would be hard to call it anything but what it was.

A Highly Motivated, Well Funded and Coordinated Effort by the CDC to deceive the Public as to What was Harming Whom. And the CDC even Continued to Promote Redfield's Mis-Information even after our friend Rochelle (Wax On / Wax Off ) Walensky took over.

It is truly Sad to think how many people turned away from Nicotine e-Cigarettes after hearing how "Vaping" was the cause of newly emerging EVALI Outbreak.

Before 2019, myself and others had a lot of fun building wires for coils. There was a lot of experimentation. After the THC vape counterfeiting scandal in 2019, people suddenly stopped appearing on the scene. Unfortunately, the uneducated non-vaping public cannot understand that our vaping is entirely different from the counterfeit THC products people were exposed to. I know a few individuals who even went back to smoking. Since then, many have distanced themselves from vaping altogether. Perhaps a better explanation is that I don't want to see the final nail go into the coffin. As someone who's not a fan of disposables, but believes they can be a useful tool for quitting smoking, it's a safer method of using nicotine. People can reduce their dependence on nicotine and quit altogether if they choose to. I'm glad people are using them to help quit. The issue I have is seeing individuals peddling fake products and taking advantage of others for financial gain. They seem to care little about the consequences. One of the consequences is bad press, which could lead to more people smoking. That's just my opinion.

 

[somdcomputerguy]

I stopped vaping in public after that because strangers would tell me I'd die.

I don't go out in public much, but if I do I vape if I can, and I almost look forward to any kind of negative vaping comments, so I can either educate someone or smirk and walk away.