Toxic metals, unsafe devices – what are we really inhaling from illegal vapes in Hungary?

The explosive rise of disposable e-cigarettes is raising serious public health concerns worldwide. A recent American study has produced alarming findings: popular but illegally distributed vape devices contain carcinogenic heavy metals, and these products are also present in Hungary.

Carcinogenic metals in the vapour

Researchers at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) examined three popular disposable vape brands and found lead, nickel and antimony in all of them – heavy metals that international health organisations clearly classify as carcinogenic.

Nickel, for example, is linked to respiratory cancers, asthma and heart disease, while lead is a well-known neurotoxin for which no safe level of exposure exists.

As much lead as 19 packs of cigarettes

One of the most shocking findings of the study was that a single device from one tested brand exposes the user to as much lead as smoking 19 packs of conventional cigarettes. The lead researcher reported that when he opened one of the devices, he found components made from leaded copper alloy. These materials can leach toxic substances into the liquid even before the device is used.

Also present in Hungary

In Hungary, tobacco products may only be sold in licensed tobacco shops. Nevertheless, unregulated vape devices continue to appear on the online market.

The National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV) carries out regular raids. In one operation alone, officers seized one hundred illegal devices from an online trader, who now faces fines amounting to millions of forints.

The danger is not only chemical

The physical risks of black-market vape devices are also significant. Some of the seized products contained poorly secured, low-quality lithium-ion batteries, which can easily overheat and cause fires or short circuits.

During unregulated transport – often in cardboard boxes without proper thermal protection – these batteries may become unstable before they even reach consumers.

Experts and authorities agree that with illegal vape devices, consumers have no real idea what they are buying. Neither the seller nor the authorities can guarantee the safety of these products.

What can Hungary do?

Hungary already has strict legal regulations in place. The sale, online purchase and import of flavoured e-cigarettes are all prohibited, with fines ranging from 1 to 50 million forints for individuals and from 5 to 500 million forints for legal entities. The NAV, the Supervisory Authority for Regulated Activities (SZTFH) and the Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) are all actively involved – shutting down webshops, conducting undercover test purchases and screening parcels.

However, this alone is not enough. According to 2024 data from the National Public Health Centre, 22 per cent of Hungarian students aged 13–15 have already tried e-cigarettes, and 10 per cent use them regularly.

The black market is therefore clearly reaching its target audience. The solution must advance on several fronts simultaneously: stricter customs inspections of parcel deliveries, mandatory chemical testing of devices legally sold in Hungary, and comprehensive school prevention programmes that focus not only on prohibition but also on the specific health risks – including lead exposure and carcinogenic metals.

Source: SzeretlekMagyarország.hu; FoxNews.com

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