If you ever find yourself in a situation where you may need to know how to spot a fake or illegal vape, there can be telltale signs that a vape isn’t up to regulatory standards or is counterfeit. This guide explores some of the signs you might want to look out for. Read on to learn how to identify potentially fake and/or illegal vapes so you can avoid purchasing one in the future.

For clarity, throughout this article, ‘fake vapes’ or ‘fake disposable vapes’ will mean counterfeit versions of existing, vape brands. It’s important to note that often only experts and/or state authorities can definitively determine whether a vape and/or vape-related product is fake or genuine. More generally, this article will explore some of the types of counterfeit vape products you might encounter.

How to Tell if a Vape is Fake

When it comes to spotting a potential counterfeit, there may be some signs of fake vape devices and/or products you could pinpoint. These could include characteristics that don’t meet the necessary regulatory or quality standards set by the country you’re in.

The packaging, e-liquid capacity, ingredients or even price of a vape could all be tell-tale signs of its authenticity.

Packaging

Low-quality packaging and/or incorrect branding could be a potential sign of fake vapes.

Typically, a product's packaging should meet certain product labelling requirements. On that note, packaging and labelling regulations sometimes differ between countries. Keep this in mind before purchasing a vape or e-liquid and look for some of the signs that could indicate a product isn’t what it claims to be.

E-Liquid Capacity and Ingredients

The amount of e-liquid in a vape could also potentially suggest that a vape is fake.

Regulations on e-liquid capacity aren’t the same in every country.

Some countries also have their own regulations on what ingredients and/or flavours are usually allowed in an e-liquid.

If you’re interested in learning more about the ingredients typically found in vapes, our article What are the Ingredients in Vapes and/or E-Cigarettes offers a more detailed explanation.

Pricing

If a vape is being sold at a significantly lower price than typically offered in your country, this could also be a potential tell-tale sign of a fake vape.

Now that we’ve outlined how you could spot a fake vape, remember that regulations around vapes and their accessories are important so you can make informed decisions about what you buy - especially when it comes to product safety standards.

One of the most effective ways to avoid potentially purchasing fake vapes or fake disposable vapes is to buy them through a reputable manufacturer or supplier. If you are unsure whether a vape or related product is authentic or not, it may be best to contact the relevant manufacturers for more support.

This article is for general information and educational purposes. Some of the information in this article is based on external, third-party sources and we make no representations or warranties of any kind regarding the accuracy, validity or completeness of such information.