Dangerous Spice drug found in 25% of vapes used by school pupils

UP to one in four vapes confiscated in English secondary schools contain the synthetic drug Spice, a study has revealed.

- By Claire Hayhurst

Researchers analysed 1,923 e-cigarettes and e-liquids collected from 114 schools across seven regions and found the drug in 13% of overall samples. In Lancashire and London, this rose to 25%.

The study, led by Prof Chris Pudney of Bath University, also found Spice-laced vapes were easily available online.

E-cigarettes are often marked as containing THC, cannabis's active ingredient, but contain the cheaper and more dangerous Spice.