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Vapes being laced with fentanyl and other synthetic opioids is a real and growing concern, not just parental hysteria. Law enforcement across the US has documented several incidents over recent years of fentanyl showing up in counterfeit THC and nicotine vapes, often sold online or on the street.
Vapes already lead to long-term health risks in teens, and the danger skyrockets when fentanyl is involved. It’s essential to understand the risks of vaping and how to talk to your teen about the concerns of fentanyl-laced vape products.
Why Parents Worry About Fentanyl in Teens’ Vapes
The possible presence of fentanyl in vapes is particularly concerning for youth, a demographic already severely impacted by vaping. In 2024, nearly 1,63 million middle and high school students reported current vape use [1].
Teens may unknowingly purchase counterfeit vapes and ingest fentanyl, putting them at a high risk of overdose and death. Many teens purchase vapes from unreliable sources (online or friends) and are at an increased risk of buying a fentanyl-laced vape.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 50 times stronger than heroin and a top contributor to overdose deaths. Just a tiny amount (under 2 milligrams) can be deadly for the average adult, and the risk is only heightened for growing teens. As of 2023, 76% of all teen drug overdose deaths involved fentanyl [2].
Can Vapes Actually Be Laced with Fentanyl?
Law enforcement and public health experts throughout the country have documented multiple situations where fentanyl has been found in vapes. For example, in 2019, the DEA San Diego Division reported a fentanyl overdose death linked to vape products. And researchers from UCLA reported that 22 teens die each week due to fentanyl, a majority linked to fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills and vapes [3][4].
Warning Signs of A Laced Vape
Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are often odorless, tasteless, and colorless in vape e-juice, so there is no reliable way to tell if a vape is laced. However, if your teen vapes regularly and you notice any of the following warning signs, this could mean they have a laced product.
Some of the warning signs that a vape is laced with fentanyl include:
- Slow or labored breathing
- Pinpoint small pupils
- Drowsiness, fatigue
- Blue lips or fingernails
- Decreased pulse or low blood pressure
- Loss of consciousness or unresponsiveness
How To Know if A Vape is Laced
There are a few factors that increase the risk of receiving a laced vape that are important for teens and parents to know, so teens can make safer choices if purchasing vape products.
- Buying vapes from unregulated sources, such as online or on the street. Always purchase products from a licensed retailer.
- Vape cartridges that look unbranded or repackaged. Vape packaging with typos, no batch numbers, or QR codes is more likely to be fake.
- Packages that use playful, bright colors, cartoon characters, or flashy designs are more common in counterfeits.
- Oil inside the vape cartridge has an unusual color (extremely dark or cloudy), or tastes burnt or metallic, which may indicate a fake cartridge.
- Lacks proper sealing or childproof packaging.
Risks of Teen Vaping Beyond Illicit Drug Use
Beyond the risk of fentanyl, vapes cause several long-term health consequences in growing teens. Vapes are often filled with unregulated chemicals that are just as harmful as cigarettes. Some of the risks of teen vaping include [5][6]:
- Nicotine Addiction: Nicotine (the main chemical found in vapes) is addictive, and the earlier a teen begins, the harder it is to quit.
- Lung Problems: Vaping is linked to higher rates of bronchitis, asthma, and COPD.
- Cancer: Vapes are filled with chemicals that are unregulated by the FDA and may be carcinogenic (cancer-causing).
- Heart Problems: Nicotine increases blood pressure and heart rate, raising the risks of cardiovascular disease in adulthood.
- Stomach Issues: According to the National Institute of Health, nicotine raises levels of gastric acid, leaving many teens who vape with chronic heartburn and nausea.
- Worsened Mental Health: Nicotine addiction impacts regions of the brain that control mood, pleasure, and motivation. Teens who vape are at a higher risk of experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Teen Vaping Treatment and Support at Clearfork Academy, TX
Clearfork Academy is a network of behavioral health facilities in Texas committed to helping teens recover from behavioral addictions, substance abuse, and mental health disorders. Our licensed and accredited facilities are dedicated to providing comprehensive, evidence-based care and education for parents and caregivers of youth.
Our team of mental health professionals understands the complex nature of how substance abuse can stunt teenage development and the factors behind what drives teenage vaping and nicotine addiction. We offer comprehensive treatments to help teens end their nicotine habits and build positive coping skills that increase their long-term recovery.
Reach out to our admissions team today to learn how we can support your family.
Sources
[1] CDC. 2024. Tobacco Product Use Among Middle and High School Students — National Youth Tobacco Survey, United States, 2024.
[2] Zitter, S. et al. 2024. Teens, Drugs, and Overdose: Contrasting Pre-Pandemic and Current Trends. KFF.
[3] DEA. 2020. Fentanyl Used in Vape Pens.
[4] Hadland, S. 2024. About 22 high school-age adolescents died each week from overdoses in 2022, driven by fentanyl-laced prescription pills. UCLA Health.
[5] Dorner, E. et al. (2021). Health effects of electronic cigarette (e‑cigarette) use on organ systems and its implications for public health. Wiener klinische Wochenschrift, 133(19-20), 1020–1027.
[6] Leung, F. et al. (1994). Effects of smoking and nicotine on the gastric mucosa: a review of clinical and experimental evidence. Gastroenterology, 107(3), 864–878.
Founder & CEO
Originally from the Saginaw, Eagle Mountain area, Austin Davis earned a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Ministry from Lee University in Cleveland, TN and a Master of Arts in Counseling from The Church of God Theological Seminary. He then went on to become a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in the State of Texas.
Austin’s professional history includes both local church ministry and clinical counseling. At a young age, he began serving youth at the local church in various capacities which led to clinical training and education. Austin gained a vast knowledge of mental health disorders while working in state and public mental health hospitals. This is where he was exposed to almost every type of diagnosis and carries this experience into the daily treatment.
Austin’s longtime passion is Clearfork Academy, a christ-centered residential facility focused on mental health and substance abuse. He finds joy and fulfillment working with “difficult” clients that challenge his heart and clinical skill set. It is his hope and desire that each resident that passes through Clearfork Academy will be one step closer to their created design.
Austin’s greatest pleasures in life are being a husband to his wife, and a father to his growing children. He serves at his local church by playing guitar, speaking and helping with tech arts. Austin also enjoys being physically active, reading, woodworking, and music.
