Is Your Disposable Nicotine Vape Authentic? Here’s How to Tell

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by James Bickford

Updated: March 21, 2023

How to tell if the vape is fake

With the rise of disposable vapes, ensuring that the product you are purchasing is not fake is becoming increasingly important. Disposable nicotine vapes are becoming increasingly popular due to their convenience, affordability, and ease of use. However, with the rise of counterfeit products, ensuring that the product you purchase is authentic is important.

How Do I Know if My Vape Is Original?

When purchasing a nicotine vape, it is important to ensure the product is authentic. This can be done by researching the product and checking reviews from other users. Additionally, it is important to consider the nicotine concentration and quality of the product. The Lost Vape Orion Bar 7500 is a great example of a high-quality vape.

Fake e-cigs are counterfeit products. They are made to look like an authentic, name-brand product. While the clone artists are very good at making fake vapor products look real, they are not so good at things like quality control. Counterfeit manufacturers often have no consideration regarding the quality of materials used. In other words, fake e-cigs are cheap, low-quality copies that do not vape very well.

  • Fake e-cigs, or clones, are counterfeit products that resemble authentic name-brand vapor products.
  • Fakes are built using cheap materials and cheap technology to cut corners and undercut the market value of authentic, name-brand vapor products.
  • The packing and even authenticity codes are often precisely copied.
Cloned and counterfeit vapor products use the cheapest materials that they can get their hands on. They use low-quality chips and processors. Cheap materials and low-quality chip technology are obviously glaring safety issues.

Chinese companies have a global reputation for trouncing intellectual property rights. They have a reputation for reverse engineering other people’s products to manufacture cheaper versions and undercut the market. This is what is happening in Shenzhen and why you need to be aware.

How to Tell if a Disposable Vape Is Fake: Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re worried about using a fake disposable nicotine vape, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you identify a counterfeit device and protect yourself from potential health risks:

  • Price: Your first indicator is the price. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. For example, if you see an e-cig being sold for $70 on a reputable website and then you see the same mod being sold for $50 in a shop, on a discount website, on Amazon, or on an auction site like eBay, be very wary.
  • Packaging: Check the packaging for any signs of tampering or damage. Original vapes usually come in well-designed, sealed packaging that is difficult to replicate.
  • Branding: Check the branding and logos on the vape device or packaging. Original vapes have high-quality brand logos that are clear and well-defined.
  • Authenticity Codes: The name brand top quality electronic cigarettes know that their products are being counterfeited. In response, brands like Kanger, Smok, Aspire, and others have attached unique authenticity codes to every product that they produce. Including coils. Quite often, your vape device packaging will have an area where you scratch to reveal the authenticity code. Once you reveal the code, you enter it on the manufacturer’s website to verify whether your e-cig is real or fake.
  • Quality of materials: Check the quality of the materials used in the vape device. Original vapes are made of high-quality materials that are durable and long-lasting.
  • Manufacturer information: Check the manufacturer information on the packaging or device. Original vapes will have clear manufacturer information that can be verified through their website or customer support.
  • It’s important to purchase your vape devices from authorized dealers or trusted retailers to ensure that you are getting an original product.
By following these steps, you can ensure you’re using a genuine vape and avoid any potential health risks associated with counterfeit devices.

What Does a Fake Vape Feel Like?

It can be difficult to determine if a vape is fake just by feeling it, as some counterfeit devices may look and feel very similar to authentic ones. However, there are some signs that can indicate that a vape may be fake.

  • For example, a fake vape may have a lower quality or flimsy construction, with parts that feel loose or wobbly.
  • The packaging may also differ from the original or have spelling or grammar errors.
  • Also, a fake vape may produce less vapor or have a different taste or smell than the authentic product.

If you have doubts about a vape’s authenticity, it is best to err on the side of caution and not use it.

What Happens if You Use a Fake Vape?

Using a fake or counterfeit vape can pose significant health risks. These devices are often made with low-quality materials and may not meet safety standards, leading to leaks, explosions, and even fires. Some of the dangers of fake nicotine vapes:

  • Unreliable, unenjoyable vaping experience.
  • Fake e-cigs often get very hot to the touch and can be uncomfortable to handle or even cause burns.
  • Fakes can overheat and burn e-liquid, generating toxins in the vapor.
  • Low-quality materials that break down easily.
  • Counterfeit coils with coil wire that cannot properly resist heat, so you end up inhaling vaporized, metallic particles.
  • Poor technology that does not properly regulate electric current.
  • Unreliable safety features and battery impurities that can lead to a fire or explosion.
  • It is very difficult to trace the manufacturer, so it would be very difficult to recover damages if something happens.

In addition, fake vapes may contain harmful chemicals or additives that can be dangerous to inhale. It is important always to purchase vapes from reputable retailers and to check for authenticity before using them.

If you suspect that you have used a fake vape, seek medical attention immediately if you experience any adverse effects such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, or nausea.

What Do Fake Vapes Contain?

Fake vapes contain various chemicals, including nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, flavors, sweeteners, solvents, industrial chemicals, and caffeine. According to a study, vaping aerosols contain thousands of unknown chemicals and substances not disclosed by manufacturers. Additionally, a 2019 study published by the same researchers looked at ten vape ingredients and found that they contained various chemicals.

How Can I Spot Fake Juul?

Fake JUUL pods can be identified by certain features, such as packaging, the color of the caps, and the cotton inside the pod. They have brightly colored caps, while the real ones have a yellow-orange color.

The cotton inside the real JUUL pod is neatly arranged, while the fake ones are fluffy. Fake pods also come in cheap packaging with e-juice spills scattered around. Additionally, the top of a fake JUUL box has four dots, while the original has the logo instead.

You can use Juul’s technology to verify their products and read reports from official agencies to ensure authenticity. Comparing the packaging and product side by side with the one you know to be original is also a good way to tell if your Juul vapes are fake.

How to Report a Fake Vape

Contact Law Enforcement or the National Intellectual Property Right Center

Several law enforcement agencies have set up hotlines to help consumers report fake vapes and other merchandise. Users should consult their local law enforcement agency to check if there is such a hotline or contact the National Intellectual Property Rights Center at 866-347-2423 to report a counterfeit vaping product.

Consult the FDA’s Master List of Approved Vaping Products

The FDA has compiled a list of approved retailers that have either received approval to be sold on the market or met the agency’s requirements to obtain said approval. Master List can be found on the agency’s website and is searchable based on the company’s name, title, and location.

Check the PMTAFailed Website

PMTAFailed is an independent organization that has compiled a list of vape manufacturers that have either passed the PMTA process or failed. The site features a searchable database of all the companies that have submitted an application to the government to obtain a PMTA and also lists all of the companies that have either failed or a still waiting for approval from the FDA

Check the PMTAVerified Website

PMTAVerified is another independent organization that acts as a watchdog to inform consumers of which vaping companies have received PMTA status and which have not. The list is maintained by PMTAVerified staff and is updated regularly.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, spotting a fake disposable nicotine vape can help protect your health and prevent potentially dangerous situations. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can verify the authenticity of your disposable vape and avoid using counterfeit products that may contain harmful chemicals or pose other risks.

Always purchase from reputable retailers and check for authenticity before using any vaping device. By staying informed and vigilant, you can enjoy the convenience and benefits of disposable vapes while minimizing potential health risks.

Published: August 13, 2017Updated: March 21, 2023
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James Bickford

My way of understanding the significance of vaping came not only through the disruption of smoking but its effects on society as a whole. Now I bring people to vaping and bring vaping to people. I love using new gear, writing in-depth reviews and generally nerding out about vaping to like-minded people.

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