Researchers reveal vaExclusivepes could spontaneously explode causing burns and serious injuries

Vapes could have potentially deadly consequences with researchers revealing the smoking devices can spontaneously explode leading to catastrophic injuries.

Research has revealed vapes can explode causing potential injury and death. Picture: Supplied

Vapes can spontaneously explode and lead to catastrophic injuries, new research has found.

La Trobe University researchers have examined published cases of exploding vapes around the world finding that it can cause blast injuries to the face, burns and even death.

Although incidents were rare, researchers say the lack of safety and regulation of vapes is “concerning” as the devices don’t undergo safety testing before they are used.

Researchers, who have published their findings in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, found 32 published cases in the past 10 years in countries including US, UK and Malaysia and, which included 105 injuries to the facial region.

Some victims required major surgery, including jaw reconstruction.

Seperate to this study, a Victorian man also suffered burns in December when a vape exploded inside his pocket, prompting a warning from the consumer watchdog.

In 2021, a WA mine worker was also injured after an electronic cigarette battery spontaneously ignited in his pocket.

Oral health professionals have also raised serious concerns about vaping increasing the risk of periodontal diseases.

People who use e-cigarettes who previously never smoked are three times more likely to take up tobacco smoking – a proven risk factor for oral cancer and gum disease.

La Trobe University masters student Vincent Tran, who undertook the research under the supervision of Associate Professor Santosh Tadakamadla and Associate Professor Kai Lee from the school of dentistry, said the risk of e-cigarettes exploding had “devastating” consequences.

“Given that they are largely unregulated, they have a risk of exploding and can cause people to have burns to their face and mouth including broken jaws and broken teeth,” Mr Tran said.

“It can even become dislodged into the brain or nasal cavity.

“There hasn’t been anything written in the medical literature in Australia, but I suspect that these types of cases are under-reported.”

It comes after recent data obtained by the Herald Sun under Freedom of Information laws showed a litany of illegal vaping incidents so serious they were reported to the department, including a student collapsing and being rushed to hospital after inhaling a vape.

Susan McKee, chief executive of Victoria’s leading public oral health agency, Dental Health Services Victoria, said it was time to raise awareness of the harms of vaping without a medical prescription ahead of World Oral Health Day on Monday.

“E-cigarette companies are trying to get a new generation of young people hooked on nicotine and it’s set to have a devastating effect on oral health,” Ms McKee said.

“Vaping has been associated with changes in your gum health and oral bacteria as well as an increased risk of tooth decay. We’ve also seen people come into public dental clinics with horrific mouth and face injuries after their e-cigarette exploded.”

Quit Director Matthew Scanlon said it took several decades of longitudinal studies to prove the devastating health impacts of smoking.

“When it comes to vaping, we already know of incidents of lung injury, death, seizures, impeded brain development in children, dizziness, loss of concentration and exacerbation of mood disorders already reported around the world,” Mr Scanlon said.

“In the past three years, an astonishing 77,200 Victorian adults took up vaping who’d previously never smoked, tripling their risk of taking up smoking.

“The number of people vaping overall more than doubled with young people the most likely to be using e-cigarettes,” he said.