How to tell if my vape is real

 A real concern for many vapers is inadvertently buying a fake vape, as they can often be just as expensive as the real thing but with unknown and sometimes dangerous chemicals in them. Read on for the low-down on how to tell if your vape is fake, and what to do if you buy one accidentally.

Fake vapes are dangerous because they are not properly regulated by the TPD like genuine brands are. This could mean they have a whole host of unknown chemicals in them, which can be damaging to your health. Additionally, fake vapes may be faulty in other ways such as damaged batteries, unreliable hardware, and extremely high nicotine levels that are otherwise banned in the UK.

Since the disposable ban went into effect in June 2025, the sale of counterfeit vapes and e-liquids has been on the rise. Often the most popular vape brands like Lost Mary, Elfbar and SKE Crystal are the most likely to be counterfeited. Run through the steps below to identify if your vape is real or fake:

• MRHA ECID listing, scratch code or QR code: Real vapes will have one of these three verifiable codes to verify its authenticity. Fake vapes will either not be verifiable, have no code, or use a reused code.
• Nicotine content: Real vapes will contain no more than 20mg of nicotine. 
• Disposable vapes: No genuine vape retailers offer disposables anymore. If somewhere does sell disposables there is a high chance they are counterfeit.
• Packaging: Real vapes will have clear fonts, secure seals, and no errors. However fake vapes may have typos, different colours, and missing text. The seal may also not be secure upon purchase.
• Retailer: Ensure you are buying your vapes from reputable retailers like Ecigwizard, supermarkets and directly from the brands websites themselves. 
• Price: Too good to be true prices can often signify a vape is fake. It is best to exercise caution if a vape is being sold at significantly lower prices than market value.

If you think you've used a fake vape don't panic too much if you don't feel any adverse effects. As soon as you realise your vape may be fake, discontinue use and notify trading standards via Citizens Advice`s consumer service. If you begin to feel unwell after using what you believe could be a fake vape seek immediate medical attention as some fake vapes may have dangerous substances in them.