Fake vapes are counterfeit or illegal vaping products made to look like genuine, UK-compliant devices but produced outside the real company ecosystem and without any set standards. These products do not meet UK Tobacco Products Directive requirements and are sold without proper safety testing, ingredient disclosure, or quality control.  

Vaping has become more popular, especially with pod-style products, and counterfeiters have taken advantage of this growing demand. In many cases, a fake vape copies the design and branding of popular products but uses low-grade components and unverified e-liquids. This means you have no reliable information about what you are inhaling. Some fake products even falsely claim to be TPD-compliant when they are not.

From recognising warning signs to knowing where to buy legally, this guide will help you spot fake vapes and understand why choosing regulated alternatives such as compliant vape kits, prefilled pod vape kits, or refillable options using nic salts and e-liquids is always the safer choice.

Are Fake Vapes Dangerous?

Yes, fake vapes are very dangerous because they are produced by unregulated manufacturers and may contain illegal nicotine levels (higher than the UK limit of 20mg/ml), harmful chemicals, and unsafe components that have not been tested to UK standards.

Here’s why counterfeit products pose real risks:

No TPD testing

Genuine products sold in the UK must meet TPD regulations, which cover ingredient disclosure, emissions testing, and nicotine limits. Fake vapes bypass these checks entirely, meaning there is no assurance of safety or quality.

Health risks reported in the UK

UK authorities have linked counterfeit vapes to throat irritation, breathing discomfort, and device malfunctions. According to National Trading Standards, more than 1.19 million illegal vapes were seized across the UK in 2023 - 2024 alone, many of which were found to be non-compliant with safety and nicotine regulations. Trading Standards continue to seize large volumes of illegal products each year, highlighting the scale of the issue and the potential risks posed to consumers.

Unknown e-liquid ingredients

Counterfeit devices often use poorly sourced or contaminated liquids. You may be inhaling substances that are not approved for vaping or that can cause adverse health reactions. Choosing regulated e-liquids or nic salts from trusted retailers significantly reduces this risk.

High nicotine concentration

Many fake vapes exceed the UK’s legal nicotine limit of 20mg/ml, often to appear stronger or more appealing. These compromised products can cause dizziness, nausea, headaches, and nicotine poisoning, especially for new or light users.

Battery safety issues

They use cheap materials and poor assembly, which increases the risk of leaks, overheating, or battery failure. Regulated vape kits and prefilled pod vape kits undergo safety checks to minimise these hazards.

Trading Standards crackdowns

UK Trading Standards regularly carry out enforcement raids and remove large volumes of illegal and counterfeit vapes from circulation. These ongoing crackdowns highlight how widespread the problem has become and underline the serious safety risks posed by unregulated vaping products.

How to Tell If a Vape Is Fake?

Counterfeit products often fail basic UK compliance checks and cut corners on quality and safety, also they will come with cheap packaging without credible QR codes or usage instructions!

Here are the quick safety checks to spot fake vapes:

Poor packaging quality

Packaging made from low-grade materials, blurred text, or poor-quality printing are common signs of a fake vape.

Missing batch number or manufacturer details

Legal vaping products must include batch numbers and clear manufacturer information. Missing details make the product impossible to trace.

No QR code or authenticity check

Genuine brands usually include a QR code or verification system. If the code is missing, invalid, or cannot be verified on the brand’s official website, the product may be counterfeit.

Unusually low price

Prices that are far lower than those offered by trusted UK retailers are a major red flag, especially for popular brands.

Poor build quality

Loose mouthpieces, leaking pods, uneven finishes, or substandard materials often indicate poor manufacturing standards.

Missing or incorrect nicotine health warning

UK-compliant vapes must display the standard nicotine warning clearly. Fake vapes often remove, alter, or misprint this warning.

Incorrect puff count claims

Claims of extremely high puff counts, or products marketed as disposable when they breach UK TPD limits, strongly suggest the product is illegal.

No tamper-proof seal

Genuine vapes are sealed to prevent interference. Broken or missing seals can indicate prior tampering or counterfeit production.

Missing ingredients list

Regulated products clearly state what the e-liquid contains. Fake vapes often leave this information out or present it vaguely.

No ECID or GBID number

All legal vaping products must display an ECID or GBID number to show MHRA notification. Missing IDs usually mean the product is not TPD-compliant.

When several of these signs appear together, it’s a strong indication that the vape may be fake. Learning how to tell if a vape is fake helps you avoid unregulated products and choose safer, compliant alternatives.

How to Spot a Fake Vape → Brand-specific checks 

Counterfeit vapes often target the most popular brands, but the good news is that genuine products follow strict brand-specific and UK regulatory standards. Knowing what to check for each brand helps you avoid fake vapes more confidently.

Fake Elf Bar

Genuine Elf Bar products include a working authenticity QR code that can be verified on the official brand website. Packaging should be professionally printed with consistent colours, correct fonts, and clear nicotine health warnings. Missing ECID or GBID numbers, poor print quality, or QR codes that fail verification are common signs of fake Elf Bar vapes.

Fake Lost Mary

Authentic Lost Mary vape products are made with tamper-proof seals, accurate branding, and a valid online verification system. Fake versions often show faded packaging colours or broken seals. Any Lost Mary product that cannot be verified through official channels should be treated with caution.

Fake Hayati

Hayati vapes are among the top-selling brands in the UK. Fake Hayati vape kits are frequently identified by unrealistic puff count claims, especially on products marketed as disposable. Genuine Hayati products clearly display batch numbers, nicotine warnings, and MHRA notification details. Leaking pods or missing regulatory information usually indicate a counterfeit product.

Fake Elux

Genuine Elux vapes follow a fixed branding and labelling standard. Any Elux product showing unusual flavour names, mismatched fonts, or incomplete compliance details is a strong indicator that the vape may be counterfeit.

Fake Al Fakher

Authentic Al Fakher vape products are known for premium packaging quality, verified QR codes, and clear manufacturer details. Counterfeit versions often use lower-grade materials, lack proper security seals, or fail to show ECID/GBID numbers required under UK regulations.

If a vape fails even one of these brand-specific checks, it may not be genuine. Buying from reputable UK retailers and choosing regulated products such as compliant vape kits or prefilled pod vape kits significantly reduces the risk of encountering fake vapes.

Comparison Between Fake Vapes vs Genuine Vapes

At first glance, fake vapes can look almost identical to genuine ones. However, once you know what to compare, the differences between counterfeit and compliant products become much clearer.

Key differences at a glance:

It’s important to check all these factors, as the UK disposable vape ban in 2025 has increased the risk of illegal and counterfeit vapes entering the market, making it even more important to recognise genuine products.

Where Fake Vapes Are Commonly Sold in the UK

Fake vapes are rarely sold through reputable, regulated retailers. Instead, they mostly sell in places where compliance checks are weak or inconsistent. Knowing where counterfeit vapes are most commonly sold can help you avoid risky purchases. 

UK enforcement data from 2024 highlights clear patterns.

Unauthorised corner shops:

Trading Standards identified over 1,400 cases of illegal stocking or selling in 2024, leading to more than 100 retailers receiving closure orders. These shops often fail basic product and age-verification rules.

Market stalls and pop-up sellers:

Temporary sellers are harder to trace and regulate, making them a common route for counterfeit vapes during enforcement raids.

Social media and messaging apps:

Illegal vape sales via platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp continue to rise. In late 2023–24, 24% of Trading Standards test purchases resulted in vapes being sold illegally to children.

Unofficial third-party sellers on marketplaces:

Counterfeit vapes are frequently linked to unauthorised third-party listings rather than approved UK sellers on major online platforms.

Unverified online websites:

Websites with no UK business address, limited contact details, or vague product information are commonly associated with fake vapes.

Entry points into the UK:

Many illegal vapes are intercepted before reaching shops. In 2024, around 40% of all UK vape seizures were linked to the London Borough of Hillingdon, home to Heathrow Airport. 

What Happens If You Use a Fake Vape?

Using a fake vape can cause immediate side effects and potential long-term risks because these products are not tested or safe at all.  Here are some of the possible impacts/risks of using a fake vape:

• Dizziness or nausea due to illegal or excessive nicotine levels
  
  

• Harsh throat hit or burning sensation caused by poor-quality e-liquids
  
  

• Leaking devices, increasing contact with unknown ingredients
  
  

• Battery overheating or device malfunction from low-quality components
  
  

• Allergic reactions, such as coughing or breathing irritation
  
  

• Uncertain long-term health effects, as fake vapes are not safety tested
  
  

 What to Do If You Think You Are Using a Fake Vape

If you feel your vape doesn't feel right or real, acting quickly can help protect your health and prevent illegal products from circulating further.

Stop using it immediately

Don't use it to avoid your self-exposure to unknown ingredients or unsafe battery components.

Check the brand’s authenticity tools

Use the official QR code or verification system on the manufacturer’s website. If the code fails or cannot be verified, treat the product as suspicious.

Keep the packaging and receipt

Retaining these details helps law enforcement with reporting and traceability.

Report it to Trading Standards

You can report suspected fake or illegal vapes to your local Trading Standards team so legal action can be taken.

Avoid reselling or passing it on

Sharing or reselling suspected counterfeit vapes can put others at risk and may be illegal.

Replace it with a regulated alternative

Buy from reputable UK retailers and choose compliant vape kits. 

Staying informed is also very important, especially for younger users. Understanding the legal age to vape in the UK and knowing how to carry out basic safety and authenticity checks helps ensure vaping products are purchased and used responsibly.

How to Buy Vapes Safely in the UK

Buying vapes safely in the UK comes down to choosing trusted sellers and knowing what to look for before you purchase. A few simple checks can help you avoid fake or non-compliant products.

1. Buy from reputable UK retailers

Choose trusted vape shops or verified UK websites with clear business details.

2. Check for age verification

Legitimate sellers always carry out age checks. No age verification is a red flag.

3. Look for TPD-compliant labelling

Products should display nicotine warnings, batch numbers, and ECID or GBID details.

4. Verify authenticity features

Use QR codes or brand verification tools to confirm the product is genuine.

5. Avoid unusually low prices

Prices that seem too cheap often indicate counterfeit or illegal vapes.

6. Choose regulated alternatives

Always buy verified, compliant vape options using tested nic salt strengths and meet all the safety regulations. 

Fake vapes have become a serious issue in the UK after the disposable vape ban, especially, but with the right knowledge, they are easier to avoid. Counterfeit products often fail safety checks, contain unknown ingredients, and are sold through unregulated channels.

By learning how to tell if a vape is fake, checking compliance details, and understanding where illegal products are commonly sold, you can reduce the risks linked to fake vapes. Buying only from reputable UK retailers and choosing regulated vaping products helps protect both your health and safety.

Staying informed, especially about legal requirements and basic safety checks, is the simplest way to make smarter and safer vaping choices.

Frequently Asked Questions about Fake Vapes

What are the symptoms of using a fake vape?

Common symptoms of fake vape use include dizziness, nausea, throat irritation, coughing, and a harsh or burning sensation.

Do fake vapes contain nicotine?

Yes, many fake vapes contain nicotine, often at illegal or incorrectly labelled levels.

Are fake vapes dangerous?

Yes, fake vapes are dangerous! It has risks that include unknown ingredients, excessive nicotine intake, battery faults, and untested long-term health effects.

How to tell if a vape is fake?

You can spot a fake vape by checking packaging quality, batch numbers, QR codes, nicotine warnings, puff claims, and seller credibility.

Are fake vapes with smoke real?

Some fake vapes with smoke produce excessive vapour, which can indicate unregulated ingredients or unsafe performance.

Are fake vapes sold on Amazon?

Yes, fake vapes on Amazon are usually linked to unauthorised third-party sellers, not verified UK retailers.

Is there a “best” fake vape with smoke?

No. There is no safe or best fake vape with smoke; fake vapes are unregulated and potentially dangerous.