Synthetic cannabinoids in e-cigarettes seized from English schools

Area of Science:

• Forensic Chemistry
• Public Health
• Adolescent Health

Background:

• Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are associated with severe side effects and dependence.
• SC use was previously thought to be confined to prisons or adult poly-drug users.
• Emerging reports link SCs in e-cigarettes to incidents involving children in schools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and quantify synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) in e-cigarettes collected from schools in England.
• To investigate the prevalence of SCs in vaping products accessible to secondary school students.
• To explore potential correlations between SC prevalence and socio-economic factors in schools.

Main Methods:

• E-cigarette and e-liquid samples were collected from 27 secondary schools across England.
• Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry were used for SC and THC identification.
• Quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy measured SC concentrations; portable detectors were also used for screening.

Main Results:

• Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) were detected in e-cigarettes from 77.8% of participating schools.
• SCs were found in 17.4% of all seized samples, primarily in refillable devices and liquids.
• SC prevalence in schools positively correlated with the proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals (r=0.65, P=0.003).

Conclusions:

• E-cigarettes containing synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are present in a significant majority of sampled secondary schools in England.
• The findings indicate a widespread issue of SCs in vaping products accessible to young people.
• Further research and intervention strategies are needed to address the risks associated with SC-containing e-cigarettes among adolescents.