Counterfeit Vapes: A Growing Threat to Consumer Safety

Earlier this year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced it had seized over 18 million illegal vape devices in maritime shipments — valued at $175 million — in just the first eight months of Operation Red Mist, an ongoing campaign designed to combat the illicit importation, transportation, and distribution of counterfeit vapes and their hazardous components. 

Many of the shipments had been mislabeled to avoid detection, and none of them were authorized for sale in the U.S. by the FDA.

You may be asking, “What’s the harm in a counterfeit vape? These aren’t weapons or narcotics. Is an intricate sting operation necessary to keep them from entering the country?”

The answer? Absolutely.

The Danger in Counterfeit Vapes

Counterfeit vapes often mimic the appearance of popular brands but are produced in unregulated facilities, frequently overseas, often with low-quality materials and substandard batteries.

The lithium-ion batteries in counterfeit vapes are particularly dangerous because they are susceptible to an uncontrollable, self-heating condition known as thermal runaway, which can lead to extremely high temperatures, violent cell venting, fire, and explosion — even more so when they do not conform to safety standards.

Between 2020 and 2024, there were approximately 2,043 emergency department visits attributed to battery-related explosions from e-cigarettes and vaping devices. That averages out to around 409 injuries each year. Most cases (54%) affected lower extremities, likely from a battery rupture in the user’s pocket. But in many other cases, battery explosions occurred while devices were actively being used. In a few cases, these explosions have been fatal. While deaths are rare, they demonstrate the very real risk that e-cigarette users face, especially when handling damaged, malfunctioning, modified, or counterfeit devices.

In addition to the risk of fire and explosion, counterfeit vapes present a significant health risk. In a 2023 study, UL Research Institutes’ Chemical Insights group and Georgia State University’s School of Public Health analyzed aerosols from e-cigarettes and discovered high levels of particulate matter and volatile organic compounds. Additional studies have identified solvents, pesticides, and heavy metals including copper, nickel, and lead in counterfeit e-cigarette cartridges.

Mitigating Vape Battery Fires and Explosions

Until 2026, vapes and e-cigarettes were responsible for the highest number of thermal runaway incidents in the air travel industry for some time, despite being carried by only a small percentage of passengers, according to data from UL Standards & Engagement’s Thermal Runaway Incident Program. More than one third (35%) of incidents on passenger flights were attributed to e-cigarettes in 2023, and (28%) were attributed to e-cigarettes in 2024.

To help mitigate the risks of fire from the batteries of these devices, UL Standards & Engagement has published the standard, UL 8139, Electrical Systems of Electronic Cigarettes and Vaping Devices. In order to conform to the standard, a device must meet specific construction requirements and undergo testing to ensure it can withstand normal use and demanding conditions. Counterfeit devices, however, cannot provide the same level of assurance.

How to Identify and Avoid Counterfeit Vape Products

Counterfeit vapes are often sold online and through informal markets, but some even find their way into retail stores, making them difficult for even informed consumers to spot.

The easiest way to avoid counterfeit e-cigarettes is to simply avoid e-cigarettes all together.

While we cannot recommend vaping in any capacity, we can say this: if you are purchasing e-cigarettes, be cautious and only purchase products that conform to safety standards, and only shop with reputable, authorized retailers. Avoid products with unclear labeling, unusually low prices, or missing safety warnings.

If you suspect a vape product may be counterfeit, notify local authorities or consumer protection agencies. If you are disposing of vapes, never throw devices or batteries in regular trash, as they can lead to fires in garbage trucks and waste processing facilities. Bring all devices and batteries to designated battery drop-off locations for disposal.