Is vape a drug?

E-cigarettes themselves are not drugs, but they can serve as carriers for drugs. Whether it is illegal or not entirely depends on what is added to the e-liquid.

⚖️ How is it defined legally?
According to Chinese law, the definition of drugs is clear: Drugs refer to opium, heroin, methamphetamine (ice), morphine, marijuana, cocaine, as well as other anesthetic and psychotropic drugs that can cause addiction as stipulated by the state.

Therefore, to determine whether an e-cigarette is a drug, it depends on its components:

Ordinary e-cigarettes: The main components are nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and food flavoring. Although nicotine is addictive, it is not classified as a drug in law but is regulated as a tobacco product.

"Up-top e-cigarettes": This is the legal definition of drugs. Criminals illegally add substances such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the harmful component of marijuana), synthetic cannabinoids, etomidate, etc., which are strictly regulated by the state, to the e-liquid.

 "Up-top e-cigarettes" - Drugs in the guise of e-cigarettes
These products often deceive others with labels such as "more powerful than regular cigarettes" and "the more you inhale, the more you get high". They are the targets of key crackdown by the police.

Main components: Commonly added prohibited components include synthetic cannabinoids, etomidate, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), tiramidine, etc.

Serious consequences: Smoking "up-top e-cigarettes" is drug use. Selling, transporting such e-cigarettes, regardless of quantity, constitutes the crime of drug trafficking and will be held criminally responsible. For example, recently, a criminal was prosecuted for illegally adding veterinary anesthetic "tiramidine" to e-cigarettes. If bringing electronic cigarettes containing marijuana components into the country from abroad, it will also be recognized as drug smuggling.

A table to see the differences
Feature Ordinary e-cigarettes "Up-top e-cigarettes" (drugs)
Core components Nicotine, flavoring, etc. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), synthetic cannabinoids, etomidate, etc.
Legal classification Tobacco products Strictly defined drugs by law
Main hazards Nicotine addiction, damage to cardiovascular and respiratory systems Highly addictive, severely damaging the central nervous system, leading to mental confusion, hallucinations, violent tendencies, and even death
Legal consequences Will be subject to administrative penalties for illegal sales, selling to minors will be subject to criminal penalties Drug use or drug trafficking, will be held criminally responsible
Summary
Ordinary e-cigarettes are not drugs, but they contain nicotine, which is addictive and harmful to health.

"Up-top e-cigarettes" are new types of drugs, tools for criminal activities, and are far more harmful than ordinary e-cigarettes.