A Chemical and Digital Analysis of E-Cigarettes Seized from English Schools and the Social Media Marketplace

Background and AimsThe use of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) in e-cigarettes represents a significant public health threat to young people. Our previous research in the 2023-2024 academic year established a high prevalence of SCs in e-cigarettes seized from English schools and suggested that many of these were sourced through social media. This study provides a crucial update of drug occurrence in secondary schools for the 2024-2025 academic year and presents the first UK empirical evidence using digital content analysis of the availability of these substances on social media. Design and MethodsE-cigarette and e-liquid samples were collected from a diverse cohort of 114 secondary schools across seven police force areas in England. Chemical analysis was performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (qNMR) spectroscopy to identify and quantify controlled substances. This was supplemented by a survey of social media platforms to assess the online marketplace for these products. FindingsAnalysis of 1,933 samples revealed an average SC prevalence of 12.9% across the sampled regions, though this varied significantly between areas (1.2% to 27.0%). SCs were overwhelmingly found in refillable devices (21.1% positive) and unlabeled bottles (96.3% positive), with a very low prevalence in single-use products (0.9%). The study also identified the emergence of other controlled substances, including ketamine and MDMA. Digital content analysis confirmed a pervasive online market where SCs are deceptively marketed and sold as THC vapes, particularly on platforms popular with younger demographics. ConclusionsSCs remain a persistent threat in English schools, with consumption patterns strongly linked to refillable vape devices. Legislation targeting single-use vapes is unlikely to mitigate this issue. The deceptive mis-selling of SCs as THC on social media represents a major pathway to harm for young people. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted harm reduction strategies in schools, greater accountability for social media platforms, and localized public health interventions to address this evolving challenge.