The United Kingdom is home to over 5.6 million individuals who use vaping products, with NHS England promoting vaping as a safer alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes. Despite this, experts are raising concerns about potential hidden bacterial risks associated with vaping devices. They warn that the moisture produced when inhaling vapor can create a conducive environment for harmful bacteria to thrive on mouthpieces. If these components are not properly cleaned, users may face the risk of developing unpleasant infections.

According to experts at Royal Vapery, neglecting to clean e-cigarette tanks and coils can lead to the growth of mold. When this mold is vaporized and inhaled, it can contribute to respiratory issues. Research supports these concerns; a University of Florida study projected for release in 2025 found that vape mouthpieces can become heavily populated with fungi. Furthermore, a 2019 study conducted by Harvard examined 37 e-cigarette cartridges and 38 e-liquid products from ten leading U.S. brands. The findings revealed that 23% contained traces of endotoxin, a microbial agent associated with Gram-negative bacteria, while 81% showed traces of glucan, a compound found in the cell walls of most fungi.

In light of these findings, Royal Vapery experts are advising vapers in the UK to maintain the cleanliness of their e-cigarettes. They have provided a checklist to help users keep their devices sanitary and safe.

Cleaning Guidelines:

Daily: Wipe down the mouthpiece and exterior of the device.

Weekly: Rinse the tank components and wipe the contacts.

Every 1–2 weeks: Full clean + new coil (sooner if burnt/weak taste).

Quick Clean (weekly): Take tank off, remove coil. Soak tank glass/metal in warm water + tiny drop dish soap (10 min), rinse.

Dry completely:

Wipe device/tank contacts with a dry swab (or a dab of isopropyl).

Fit new coil, fill, wait 5–10 min.

Natural Option (no harsh chemicals):

Same steps, but use just warm water (or 50/50 water + white vinegar for 5–10 min), then rinse until no smell.

Never do: Get the battery (mod) wet, or try to wash/reuse a burnt coil.

A scientist recently claimed vaping not only ‘opens the door’ to catching Covid – the pair when combined create the “perfect storm” to cripple our lungs.

Last year, YouGov data showed that a staggering 5.6 million adults in Britain vape, about 11% of the adult population – while NHS England says a quarter of 11 to 15-year-olds have tried vaping.

Last week the Express revealed how one NHS Trust has reintroduced facemask-wearing in its hospitals due to concerning rise in Covid-19 cases on its wards.

Now Dublin City University’s School of Biotechnology Professor Keith Rochfort has revealed how vaping ‘opens the door’ to catching Covid – with the pair creating the “perfect storm” to attack the lungs and cripple recovery.

Writing in The Conversation, Professor Rochfort said vaping increases the number of ACE2 receptors in the airways and lung tissue, meaning more entry points for the virus.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a protein and an enzyme on the surface of our lungs that play a crucial role in regulating blood pressure and inflammation.

Prof Keith Rochfort adds: “Both vaping and Covid drive inflammation. Vaping irritates and inflames the blood-vessel lining while Covid floods the lungs with pro-inflammatory molecules. Together they create a ‘perfect storm’.”