Spotting the Fakes: How to Identify Counterfeit Vapes?
Since vapes hit the market in the late 2000s, they have completely changed how people consume nicotine!
With portability and convenience in mind, the classic vape was reduced in size to easily fit your pocket. Nowadays, you can find disposable vape deals that give you all of this in one package. Disposables like the Elf Bar and Geek Bar present vapers with a simple entry to the market.
However, if not bought from an authorized retailer, you risk buying counterfeits.
Today we will discuss ways you can identify an original vape from a counterfeit. Read on to find out more!
Key Takeaways: Identifying Counterfeit Vapes
Check for authentication stickers on the packaging
Look for physical irregularities
Check if the sellers/ resellers are authentic
A Few Counterfeit Vape Statistics
Here are a few quick statistics on the counterfeit vape market:
In the US, vape sales have tripled since due to the sale of unauthorized vapes
In the first few months of 2023, the number of counterfeit illegal vape seizures surpassed the total figure of 2022
In the first half of 2022, 1.4 tonnes of counterfeit vapes were seized in NE England.
In 2020, over 2.5 million counterfeit vaping devices were captured at Heathrow airport.
Of the $7 billion market for vapes in the year 2022, 40% of them were cheap disposable vapes according to data from IRI Consultants.
The CBP had seized 26,503 shipments of counterfeit vape pens roughly estimated at $1.3 billion in the year 2020.
How To Identify Counterfeit Vapes? - 3 Signs That You Have A Fake Vape
There Will Be No Authentication Stickers on Packaging
Counterfeits Have Physical Irregularities.
Unverified Resellers Will Most Likely Sell You Fake Vape
How To Identify Counterfeit Vapes Online? - Verification Methods
With so many counterfeits swarming the market, our top vape brands have taken extra steps to ensure the right products reach you
1.Elf Bar
Each Elf Bar disposable comes with a hologram sticker, micro text, and an anti-counterfeiting pattern. As we mentioned before, use your smartphone to scan the QR code on the box.
2.Voopoo
Voopoo takes it a step further with most of its devices. You have a hologram that changes at different angles. Keep a look out for the 'V' logos here. If it moves be sure your device is genuine. Since counterfeiters can still replicate this, you also get a scratch-off panel.
3.Vaporesso
Vaporesso products have verification code stickers found on every package. Scratch out the code and verify on their product's verification website.
4.Uwell
Famous for their Caliburn series, Uwell products have an anti-counterfeiting code on every box. Use this code on the Uwell verification page to verify the product.
5. Smok
Smok’s verification process is a tad bit more interactive than the others. They have an app called the IVPS Tour App. Once done, scan the two QR codes found on the back of any product from the Smok website. think of this as a two-step verification process for your device.
6. Geek Vape & Geek Bar
Geek Vape and its sister company Geek Bar have a similar authentication process. They have a sticker on the box that you scratch off to reveal a verification code. Use this code on the verification pages to check authenticity.
7. Lost Vape
Lost Vape kits have a 16-digit security code and a hologram that moves when the packaging is tilted. You can check both these on the Lost Vape website.
8. Lost Mary
Lost Mary uses a QR code system where the code takes you to the verification page. This page not only confirms the authenticity but also indicates how many times the code has been scanned.
Frequently Asked Question
How to spot fake e-liquid?
You can easily spot a counterfeit e-liquid from the packaging. They come in low-quality materials or with poor printing. Watch for misspellings, grammatical errors, or incorrect information on the packaging. Most even come with authenticity codes that you can check online
How do you scan to see if a vape is real?
With a smartphone, you can scan a QR code or input a serial number provided on the packaging online. Any vape that is approved by the government will have these measures of authentication.
What are the symptoms of smoking a fake vape?
Some potential health hazards of using a fake vape are coughing, shortness of breath, airway irritation, vomiting, nausea, fatigue weakness, and chest pain.
Are fake vapes worse?
Although vaping is now acknowledged by experts to a certain extent, to be much less harmful than smoking there is still a small amount of harm. But when it comes to fake vapes, this harm can quickly escalate.
Be Safe From Counterfeit Vapes - Buy Original From Vape deal
If you are not aware of the health risks of vaping counterfeits, you need to be aware of it. To save a few bucks you should not risk your life using fakes. They can be highly detrimental to your health. So only buy authentic products from reputed resellers and do proper security checks when you have the option.