SCHOOLKIDS have reportedly been coughing up blood after using illegal bubble-gum flavoured vapes.
The sickly sweet smoking devices are being aimed at children for as little as ￡5 - despite containing twice the amount of nicotine as cigarettes.
4
Unsafe and illegal vapes with dangerous levels of nicotine have been seized Credit: Aberdeen City Council 4
The flavoured electronic cigarettes are being aimed at children Credit: Aberdeen City Council
A worried parent tipped Trading Standards off about the electronic fags after learning sellers were targeting youngsters.
Officials then swooped a store in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, where more than 150 vapes were seized.
Some of the smoking devices contained more than 1,500 puffs per 2ml - more than double the legal amount.
Disposable nicotine vapour products should have no more than 2ml of liquid, the equivalent nicotine volume in one packet of cigarettes, which equates to about 600 puffs.
These high volumes have caused nose bleeds and nausea among young people - and some have even been coughing up blood.
Paul Bannister, of North Lanarkshire Trading Standards, said: "Our exercise has successfully removed a number of nicotine vapour products from sale.
"Due to consumer product safety concerns however, I would ask parents to be alert to the risks of young people using them.
"Remember, it is unlawful for nicotine vapour products to be supplied to persons under the age of 18 years.
Most read in The Sun
GOT IT RON Fans convinced Ronaldo mocked Solskjaer after Mo Salah's goal against Man Utd
QUIGG CHANGE X Factor's Eoghan Quigg is unrecognisable as he becomes a dad after show
RED REVAMP How Man Utd could line-up under ex-Liverpool boss Rodgers including Tielemans
BEN THERE DONE THAT Newcastle make Rafa Benitez No1 choice to replace Steve Bruce as boss
'they took everything' Distraught Molly-Mae & Tommy robbed of ￡800k as gang target home
GREAT FRIGHT Inside abandoned zoo with remains of great white SHARK floating in tank
"Disposable vapes are sold in bright packaging designed to appeal to young people in flavours like strawberry and bubble-gum, for as little as ￡5.
"They contain very high levels of nicotine and we have anecdotal evidence that young people using them have coughed up blood, experienced nose bleeds and nausea.
"We will be writing to retailers with guidance on these products and advising them to return any stock that does not comply with the legal requirements.
"We will continue to monitor sales of nicotine vapour products and will not hesitate to take enforcement action against any retailer who continues to stock these potentially harmful products."
Several other councils across Scotland are aware of the products and have reported them to their own Trading Standards teams.
Aberdeen City Council seized ￡900 worth of the illegal vapes over the weekend - which contained five times the legal limit of nicotine.
The raid happened amid concerns the vapes were being sold to children.
'VERY HIGH LEVELS OF NICOTINE'
Councils are appealing for anyone who knows about the vapes being sold in their area to report it to them
Graeme Paton, Aberdeen City Council Trading Standards manager, said: "It was unacceptable that vapers are unknowingly risking their health by using these unsafe disposable products.
"Illegal and counterfeit products are flooding into the market and consequently pose a potential health risk to customers.
"Inappropriately branded products are also being purposely marketed towards children.
"Parents may not realise their children are vaping these unsafe devices - they are brightly coloured and closely resemble highlighter pens or make-up products. They cost from ￡5 to ￡7 each."
4
Vapes with fruit, mint and cotton candy flavours look like highlighter pens Credit: Aberdeen City Council 4
The Scottish Government recently wrote to all retailers which sell these devices advising them to check their stock Credit: Aberdeen City Council
Brit footballer jailed for 25 YEARS in Dubai after cops find vaping CBD oil in car and he’s ‘forced to sign confession’