Synthetic Cannabinoids Found in Vapes at Three-Quarters of Tested English Schools
E-cigarettes containing synthetic cannabinoids were identified in 78% of 27 secondary schools sampled across England, with prevalence correlating to socioeconomic deprivation.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Synthetic cannabinoids were detected in 17.4% of all e-cigarette samples seized from schools. Positive samples contained a median concentration of 0.42 mg/mL, with a maximum of 3.6 mg/mL. Only 1.2% contained THC.
Key Numbers
77.8% of schools had at least one SC-positive sample. 17.4% of all seized samples contained SCs. Median concentration: 0.42 mg/mL. Maximum: 3.6 mg/mL. SC prevalence correlated with free school meal eligibility (r = 0.65, P = 0.003).
How They Did This
E-cigarettes seized by teachers at 27 secondary schools across England were analyzed using GC-MS, LC-MS, and quantitative NMR spectroscopy.
Why This Research Matters
Synthetic cannabinoids are far more potent and dangerous than natural cannabis, and children may not know what they are vaping.
The Bigger Picture
Synthetic cannabinoids were previously thought to be largely confined to prisons and homeless populations in the UK. This study demonstrates they have reached secondary school students.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Samples were seized by teachers, introducing selection bias. Not all schools in England were represented.
Questions This Raises
- ?Are students aware their vapes contain synthetic cannabinoids?
- ?What is the health impact of chronic low-dose SC exposure through vaping?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 78% of tested schools had vapes containing synthetic cannabinoids
- Evidence Grade:
- Multi-site analytical chemistry study with rigorous methods across 27 schools; moderate because sampling relied on teacher confiscation.
- Study Age:
- 2025 study with recently collected samples
- Original Title:
- Synthetic cannabinoids in e-cigarettes seized from English schools.
- Published In:
- Addiction (Abingdon, England), 120(10), 1995-2004 (2025)
- Authors:
- Cozier, Gyles E, Gardner, Matthew, Craft, Sam(5), Skumlien, Martine, Spicer, Jack, Andrews, Rachael, Power, Alexander, Haines, Tom, Bowman, Richard, Manley, Amy E, Sunderland, Peter, Sutcliffe, Oliver B, Husbands, Stephen M, Hines, Lindsey, Taylor, Gillian, Freeman, Tom P, Scott, Jennifer, Pudney, Christopher R
- Database ID:
- RTHC-06270
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Why are synthetic cannabinoids in vapes more dangerous than THC?
Synthetic cannabinoids are full agonists at CB1 receptors, meaning they activate these receptors much more powerfully than THC. They can cause seizures, psychosis, and death.
Why were synthetic cannabinoids more common in deprived areas?
The study found a correlation (r = 0.65) between SC prevalence and free school meal eligibility. The researchers did not establish causation.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-06270APA
Cozier, Gyles E; Gardner, Matthew; Craft, Sam; Skumlien, Martine; Spicer, Jack; Andrews, Rachael; Power, Alexander; Haines, Tom; Bowman, Richard; Manley, Amy E; Sunderland, Peter; Sutcliffe, Oliver B; Husbands, Stephen M; Hines, Lindsey; Taylor, Gillian; Freeman, Tom P; Scott, Jennifer; Pudney, Christopher R. (2025). Synthetic cannabinoids in e-cigarettes seized from English schools.. Addiction (Abingdon, England), 120(10), 1995-2004. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.70110
MLA
Cozier, Gyles E, et al. "Synthetic cannabinoids in e-cigarettes seized from English schools.." Addiction (Abingdon, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.70110
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Synthetic cannabinoids in e-cigarettes seized from English s..." RTHC-06270. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/cozier-2025-synthetic-cannabinoids-in-ecigarettes
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.