The identification of drugs of abuse in E-cigarette samples seized in Dubai between 2016 and 2020.

The abuse of narcotics and psychotropic substances using e-cigarettes has recently become an international trend. This indicates a need to monitor the distribution and marketing of such tools. This study provides insight regarding the presence of controlled substances in e-cigarette seized in Dubai between 2016 and 2020. GC-MS in combination with DART Q-TOF MS/MS were used to investigate 188 e-cigarette samples. The findings show that 159 (84%) of samples tested positive for illicit substances. The majority (98%) of positive samples contained THC and the remaining samples (4 samples only) contained Mephedrone, Fluromethamphetamine, Ethyl 6-APB, 5-MeO DALT and Ethylphenidate, Cumy-PeGaClone and Methamphetamine.