E-cigarettes, or vapes, are often seen as an alternative to snus or cigarettes and have become more common in recent years. The products have become particularly popular among young people.
But analyses by Swedish Customs show that several of the e-cigarettes imported into Sweden contain preparations classified as narcotics, or substances that are about to be classified as narcotics.
These are often synthetic or semi-synthetic cannabinoids.
"In addition to the increase, there is a shift towards more synthetic substances. And that is a danger in itself; a lab analysis is needed to know what is really in them," says Jenny Åberg.
“Looks innocent”
In 2023, the Swedish Customs seized over 17,000 e-cigarettes containing cannabinoids. The following year, the number dropped, only to increase again in 2025, when over 10,000 vapes containing cannabinoids were seized. Over half of them were synthetic or semi-synthetic.
The packages seized are often colorful and clearly aimed at younger people. They are sold online directly from the manufacturer but can also be found in physical stores.
It may look very innocent, but it's not.
Furthermore, in many cases, the ingredient list cannot be trusted, according to Åberg.
It is quite rare that what is written on the packaging matches what is inside. And even if something is written on the packaging, it is not a given that it is true; it could be something else. It's like a lottery what you get, says Jenny Åberg.
Spice-like substances
Some of the fully synthetic substances that Swedish Customs found during sampling are of the same type that appeared during the deadly Spice wave in the 2010s.
The trend is towards more and more dangerous variants. As a parent or guardian, you have no idea what your young people are smoking, says Åberg.
The content is constantly changing to avoid drug classification. You don't know what variant you're taking, or what effect it has on your body. You become like a guinea pig.
