Experts have issued a warning about a viral TikTok trend that involves dumping your vape inside a glass of water to render it useless.
Although a big help for those who are trying to quit smoking, some people are now thinking of ways to help themselves quit vaping but one ‘hack’ has been hailed as dangerous by experts. You can see people doing the challenge below - but please DO NOT try this at home:
A trend currently popping up on TikTok shows people dropping their disposable vape into a glass of water meaning that it will no longer work and you’ll no longer be able to use it if you feel a sneaky craving.
But while it may be a sure fire way to break your vape, the technique has been branded a potential fire hazard, so is definitely one to avoid.
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Speaking to the Daily Record, Stuart Stevenson from Vapour Depot, said water damage to a vape can cause a short-circuit, which could start a fire.
Stuart said: "While the videos show that the disposable is no longer working, what they don't show is that this technique is a fire hazard. Like most electronic devices, disposable vapes contain a lithium-ion battery (LIB). These types of batteries can theoretically explode.
"As disposable vapes are electronic devices, they are easily damaged by water. Damage caused by water can be dangerous, as it can cause the battery to short-circuit and start a fire.
"If a fire were to break out in your home this hack would make the fire spread much quicker endangering the lives of everyone in your home."
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While a spokesperson from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service urged people to always follow the manufacturers’ guidelines when it comes to disposing of vapes, which - you won’t be surprised to learn - do not recommend putting the device in water.
Commander for prevention and protection, David Dourley, told the publication: "We would urge users of LIB technology to always follow manufacturing guidance when disposing of spent battery units to ensure reduced risk of fire."
The warning comes as Scotland considers introducing a ban on disposable vapes.
Scottish health minister Humza Yousaf was asked in parliament last month about a possible ban by Green MSP Gillian Mackay.
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Yousaf explained that the Scottish government was looking into the matter with a view to having a plan ready to go by autumn, and a ban on disposable vapes would be considered as one of the options.
He said: "Gillian Mackay is absolutely right, there’s a public health issue that we are exploring and will explore.
"We will ask stakeholders with the relevant expertise to examine the evidence and assess what action the Scottish Government and other partners should take.
"That will include consideration of a potential ban."
Topics: TikTok
Claire Reid