One in six vapes in schools contain spice, research finds

The University of Bath has found that one in six English school children are unwittingly smoking spice-spiked vapes.

Professor Chris Pudney tested hundreds of confiscated vapes in 38 schools across the country using the world's first portable device that can instantly detect synthetic drugs.

Working with concerned schools and police forces around the country Professor Pudney tested 596 vapes confiscated from schools in England and discovered spice in 28 out of 38 (74 per cent) schools across London, the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, and South Yorkshire.

Roughly one in 100 vapes contained THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis.

With the school summer holidays approaching, Professor Pudney is urging parents and guardians to discuss the serious health risks posed by illegal vapes with their children.

He said that "teenagers think they are purchasing vapes or vape fluid containing THC or nicotine when, in fact, they are laced with spice."

There are numerous risks that come with the synthetic cannabinoid. These include breathing difficulties, chest pain, seizures and even cardiac arrest.

Pudney added: "Headteachers are telling me pupils are collapsing in the halls and ending up with long stays in intensive care.

“This is not just a niche, one-off occurrence that happens in a school far away from you; this is something common. As we go into the school holidays if we can have an open dialogue and talk with children about the risks they face, then they've got a chance of making a different choice.”

To help combat the issue, Professor Pudney has deployed a spice detector to Devon and Cornwall Police. 

Chief inspector Sarah Johns, Devon & Cornwall Police Prevention Command, said they are pleased to be one of the forces to receive one of his devices for ongoing testing in our area. 

He said: "It will help us to ascertain the scale of this issue in Devon and Cornwall so that we can target resources most effectively."

Professor Chris Pudney will publish an academic paper on his vape testing findings, with a pre-print expected mid-August.