VAPES contaminated with a deadly, flesh-eating drug have been found in Britain, The Sun can reveal.
Xylazine, a horse tranquilliser causing havoc with drug users in the US, was discovered in modified e-cigarettes.
Health bosses issued a warning to NHS clinics because it causes skin and tissue necrosis and is easy to overdose on.
Experts said the vapes, which were impounded in Luton, Beds, could kill unsuspecting users.
Abbas Kanani, superintendent pharmacist at Chemist Click, said: “It could have serious and potentially dangerous effects.
“In severe cases, respiratory depression can be life-threatening.”
Britain recorded its first xylazine-related death last year, when Karl Warburton, 43, from Solihull, West Midlands, was found to have taken the drug.
In the US, it has been declared an emerging threat, with dealers often mixing it with heroin or fentanyl.
It was discovered in a modified vape, according to an alert issued by Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board earlier this month.
Medics said people who have been exposed to the drug can be identified by “areas of skin lesions that will not heal and can’t be accounted for” across the body.
A spokesperson for the trust said: “People should only buy vaping materials from reliable outlets.
“Anyone feeling unwell while smoking should call 111, or 999 if they are struggling to breathe.
“If people suspect they have bought unsafe e-cigarette materials, they can report it using the Yellow Card site.”
Two cases of xylazine in THC vape liquid have also been found by a Wales-based drug-testing initiative.
And in a grilling of vape bosses by MPs yesterday, headteachers warned that vapes confiscated from pupils were found to be containing toxic antifreeze.
Laranya Caslin, of St George’s Academy in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, said a pupil suspected of dealing to teen addicts was found with five e-cigarettes containing nine toxic chemicals.
Speaking at the Health and Social Care Committee, she said: “The chemicals that were contained within — there was very little nicotine.
“In one there was only hydraulic oil and antifreeze. The children have no idea what they’re buying.
“I think they’re a little more at risk of a vape that contains toxic, flammable, carcinogenic substances.”
She said vaping in toilets at her school has become so common she’s had to refit the smoke alarms to prevent children leaving exams to get a hit.
Dr Helen Stewart, of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said children with asthma are avoiding going to the loo because the fumes trigger flare-ups.
Meanwhile, separate data obtained from Freedom of Information requests by the Vape Club, shows the UK has been flooded with 2million illegal vapes since 2022.
Luton Council leader Hazel Simmons said: “The sale of illicit tobacco, vape pens and shisha is often linked to wider organised criminal activity, so we have good reason to be vigilant.
“They put people’s health at risk, which is particularly concerning when traders sell to children.
“It is important that parents and carers engage with their children to ensure that they are not being sold nicotine-containing vape pens when under 18 years of age.”
Rishi Sunak announced a clampdown on vape use in children at the end of May, closing a loophole allowing free samples to be given out to teens in shops.
A Department for Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We have set up a £3million Illicit Vapes Enforcement Squad.
“It will tackle products imported and traded illicitly, remove illegal products from the market that don’t comply with our regulations and tackle underage sales to children.
“The squad will work with enforcement agencies and learn from work carried out by Trading Standards on illicit tobacco.”