Beware of the black market!

Every product has its black market, and the e-cigarette is unfortunately no exception. 'Buddha Blues', a drug made from THC (the psychoactive agent in cannabis), poses a serious threat to public health. More commonly known as PTC (*Pète Ton Crâne* or "Blow Your Head Off"), this illegal product triggers symptoms that are highly harmful to the digestive, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declared that Vitamin E acetate, found in the illicit products used by over 2,000 affected Americans (including 29 fatalities), was responsible for the health crisis in question. On 14 October, the European black market claimed its first victim in Belgium. 

In Belgium: the black market claims its first European victim

On 14 November, a man died in Belgium after consuming an oil-based cannabis e-liquid sourced from the black market. Professor Jacquet, head of the intensive care unit at the Saint-Luc clinics and the victim's doctor, announced via the Belgian newspaper DH.be: “There is no definitive certainty regarding a cause-and-effect link, as no study confirming it has yet been conducted. However, from what we know, many victims of this type of lung disease had been vaping cannabis-based mixtures with an e-cigarette.” He continued: “There are around 500 cases in the United States, and all involve cannabis derivatives, as well as traces of Vitamin E in some of the oils used,” noted Professor Jacquet. “In Belgium, there are no studies on the subject yet, and there are around 1,200 different products on the market. We cannot say that the e-cigarette is a danger in itself, but rather certain substances that people might put into it.”

The dangerous 'Buddha Blues'

In France, Buddha Blues containing THC (the psychoactive agent in cannabis) first appeared in 2017 in Brest. Large-scale trafficking of this fraudulent liquid was uncovered following the arrest of four young gang members in Brest. 

In 2018, a young student from Cherbourg suffered a severe collapse. Local school authorities immediately alerted the police and judicial services. 

On 21 October, the Calvados regional education authority indicated that “17 students displayed symptoms after inhaling the substance.” Several required hospitalisation. 

Magali Martinez, a researcher at the Recent Trends and New Drugs unit of the French Observatory for Drugs and Drug Addiction (OFDT), warned: “Buddha Blues is the commercial name for a synthetic cannabinoid (5F-AKB-48). Clinical symptoms can range from cardiovascular, digestive or respiratory issues to tachycardia, seizures, breathing difficulties, bouts of violence, anxiety, severe headaches, and agitation. When the drug is in e-liquid form, the user has no control over the dosage. Any error can be highly detrimental.”

She emphasized its danger: “Users must realise that this type of molecule is entirely different from cannabis. It might be sought after as a way to bypass restrictions. Some users turn to this product simply to experiment or in the hope of finding an alternative to their usual habit. However, this is not the case. This product creates a strong dependency that can develop very rapidly, and its side effects are far more severe.”

Vitamin E acetate and dangerous oils reaching the online black market in Europe

Contaminated, nicotine-free American e-liquids containing oil are being sold online illegally into Europe. These illicit, oil-based products cause severe lung diseases. Indeed, oils are completely unsuitable for inhalation. 

Certain products containing THC in concentrations well above legal limits are being sold on the dark net. They are not subject to any regulation whatsoever. Laboratory tests have detected the presence of lipids, Vitamin E acetate, and Myclobutanil. This highly toxic substance releases hydrogen cyanide when heated. Cannasafe, an independent laboratory, stated: “There is a fairly clear split in the issue,” explained Aaron Riley, the lab's director, “this study shows just how dangerous and dirty the [American] black market is.”

The American market for illegal vaping products was featured in an article in The Washington Post following the public health crisis in the US. This health crisis stems from the illegal presence of contaminated products consumed by a large number of Americans, resulting in 2,000 illnesses and 29 deaths. 

On 8 November, laboratory analyses finally cleared up any doubts regarding the elements implicated in this health crisis. Anne Schuchat, Principal Deputy Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), set the record straight: “These findings provide direct evidence that Vitamin E acetate is a primary culprit in lung injury,” she assured. The misuse of e-cigs is responsible, not the act of vaping itself!

As a vaping professional, Le Petit Vapoteur wishes to remind everyone never to put any oils, contaminated, or illegal products into an e-cigarette. These products are absolutely not intended for vaping. Tanguy Gréard, co-founder of Le Petit Vapoteur, illustrates this situation with the following analogy: “If you pour bleach into your cup and drink it, you are going to have serious problems. Conversely, if you put lemonade in your cup, it is completely harmless to your health. The cup is the e-cigarette!”

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Statement: Let’s stop the unfair generalisations!

The French and European professional market for the sale of vaping products, which is entirely legal, is strictly regulated.

All French e-liquids sold by specialist retailers are registered with ANSES (the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety). They can therefore be inhaled with complete safety by consumers. 

Roger Genet, Director General of ANSES, stated last September: “Clearly, in France, there is no public health issue regarding authorised products.”

 Claire