How To Spot Fake Disposable Vape Products

How To Spot Fake Vapes And Protect Yourself

Before the UK ban on single-use vapes took effect on 1 June 2025, disposable vapes saw a huge rise in popularity. They were seen as a hassle-free alternative to smoking, and today the same brands are sold as rechargeable UK-compliant pod kits. With the popularity spike, however, came a growing problem: counterfeit vapes sold across the UK. The reason they're so common is because they're cheaper to produce and purchase than the authentic models, meaning shops and stores can turn over a larger profit when selling them. Therefore, the person who suffers is you, the end consumer. In this article, we compare a fake Elux Legend with the real thing.

What's The Problem With Fake Disposable Vapes?

Fake disposables are made to look as authentic as possible, to con you into purchasing them. They're made with lower quality ingredients and components, meaning they taste worse and may contain more nicotine or e-liquid than the law allows, or ingredients that haven't been checked. They're tarnishing the vaping industry.

The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (the UK's version of the TPD) set the rules for vaping products: nicotine is capped at 20mg/ml, tanks and pods at 2ml, and every product must be notified to the MHRA with a full list of ingredients before it can be sold. Of course, fakes skip this process, meaning the bargain vape you just bagged could be illegal and potentially harmful to you.

What To Look Out For To Avoid Fake Vapes

At first, it can be difficult to spot a fake, but once you know what to look out for, you'll see it every time.

• Make sure you buy from reputable online stores or shops. Be wary of any seller who can't tell you where their stock comes from.
• Single-use disposables can no longer be legally sold in the UK, so a shop still selling them is a red flag in itself.
• If the price is too good to be true, you're likely being sold a fake.
• Vaping products have strict guidelines for packaging. Look out for key factors such as an 18+ age restriction, a nicotine warning, the nicotine strength (20mg/ml or less), an ingredients list and a batch number or best before date. If these aren't present on the box, don't buy it.

How to Tell if Your Elf Bar Is Fake?

QR Authenticity Codes -

Whenever you purchase an Elf Bar, be sure to check the box. On the box, you'll find a QR code. Scan this with your phone and it should take you to "The official Elf Bar Website".

Elf Bar will check the authenticity of the vape and you'll see a notification on the screen as to whether it's genuine or fake.

Are Fake Elux Bars Dangerous?

They can be: counterfeits haven't been through MHRA notification, so there's no way of knowing what's in the e-liquid or how the battery was made. Here are some key points to help you check whether your Elux Legend is fake.

1. QR Authenticity Codes - Whenever you purchase an Elux, be sure to check the box. On the box, you'll find a QR code. Scan this with your phone and it should take you to the "official Elux Website". Elux will check the authenticity of the vape and you'll see a notification on the screen as to whether it's genuine or fake.
2. Colour of the Box and Vape - If you've already thrown away the box, another easy giveaway is the colour of the vape. The colour on fake vapes is usually of a lower quality, meaning it can look washed out. Take this as a sign that the vape is fake.
3. Writing on the Actual Vape - Writing on official and authentic Elux bars is embossed and textured, meaning the writing sticks out on the vape. On fake elux bars, however, the writing is usually printed, meaning when you run your hands over it, you won't feel the letters.
4. Lighting on the Vape - This one's easy to miss. Whenever you take a pull on your vape, the light at the bottom of the device should match the genuine product. On fake Elux bars, the light is often a different colour, so compare it with the official product images.

If you think you're the victim of being sold a counterfeit vape, we recommend following the steps above to check it through. If you're still unsure, contact the manufacturer of the vape, and report suspected counterfeit or illegal vapes to Trading Standards through the Citizens Advice consumer helpline.

Final Thoughts

We've shared the key checks for telling genuine vape products from fakes, so you can compare a fake vs real Elux Legend yourself.

Here at Univapez , you can rest assured knowing you're only purchasing real, legitimate and authentic products.