Study Reveals Vapes Are 3,000 Times Dirtier Than a Toilet Seat

You might want to think twice before taking your next puff. A disturbing new scientific study has revealed that vapes, or e-cigarettes, can be up to 3,000 times more infested with microscopic bugs than the average public toilet seat. The findings, which describe vape mouthpieces as potential breeding grounds for bacteria and fungi, have prompted experts to issue urgent hygiene advice to the UK’s 5.4 million regular vapers.

The research was conducted by BioLabTests, an independent laboratory based in Coventry, in partnership with online nicotine retailer Haypp. Scientists swabbed a popular strawberry ice-flavored disposable vape immediately after opening and then at intervals over two weeks of use. The results were alarming. While the device started clean, experts observed rapid microbial growth between the second and third days of use. By day three, the mouthpiece alone harbored approximately 150,000 individual colony-forming units (CFUs) of bacteria and fungi.

To put this into perspective, a typical public toilet seat contains around 50 CFUs per square inch. This means the vape mouthpiece was 3,000 times more contaminated, reaching the maximum level measurable by the lab. “Laboratory analysis revealed that the mouthpiece is the dirtiest component of the vape,” said Reynold Mpofu, a microbiologist at BioLabTests. He noted this isn’t entirely surprising given that the human mouth contains around 700 species of bacteria, but the warm, moist environment of a vape accelerates their growth.

The study identified several specific types of microorganisms lurking on the devices, many of which are transferred from unwashed hands, pockets, and surfaces. These included:

• Bacillus: Bacteria commonly found in dirt, dust, and the air.
• Staphylococcus: Microorganisms typically found on human skin.
• E. coli: A common fecal bacterium found in public bathrooms known to cause illness in humans.
• Enterococcus: Another bacteria often associated with poor hygiene.

Researchers also suspect that hard-to-remove biofilms—slimy layers of microbial communities—may be forming on the devices.

“Much like phones, vapes are frequently handled and placed on a variety of surfaces,” Mpofu explained. “Paired with routine contact with faces, mouths, toilets, door handles… this provides the perfect opportunity for microbes to transfer to the vape.”

In response to these findings, experts are urging vapers to drastically improve their device hygiene. While online advice often suggests weekly cleaning, the study indicates this is insufficient. Markus Lindblad, head of legal and external affairs at Haypp, recommends wiping down both the mouthpiece and the body of the vape every three days using a cloth dampened with antibacterial cleaner or an alcohol wipe. For devices with interchangeable parts, these should be disassembled and cleaned individually to ensure no residue remains. Given that vapes are placed directly in the mouth, maintaining their cleanliness is arguably even more critical than sanitizing a smartphone.