Vaping Challenges in Drug Testing

In workplace drug testing, vaping can present unique challenges as it may impact the detection and interpretation of results, particularly in oral fluid testing. Vaping can introduce drug residues into the mouth and oral fluids – especially if the individual has recently vaped substances containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (from cannabis products) or synthetic cannabinoids, which can be detected in oral fluid.

When vaping involves nicotine and/or THC products, aerosols can leave residues in the mouth that may appear in oral fluid samples. This can affect both the concentration and detection period of certain drugs in oral fluid tests, making recent use detectable within minutes to hours post-consumption.

Nicotine vapes may cause “false positives” for amphetamines and other drug groups, when ingredients in the nicotine vape (particularly stimulant additives), cross-react in tests designed for amphetamines. Though this is rare, it does occasionally happen particularly where the quality control of the vape product is low and concentrations vary. Certain flavouring agents and preservatives may also contribute to minor interferences in results.

If a donor vapes with products containing Cannabidiol (CBD) or THC, it may lead to detectable levels in an oral fluid test, registering as a confirmed positive for THC even where the vape is labelled “CBD only.” Small amounts of THC are often present in CBD products, especially in full-spectrum varieties. Unregulated vapes may contain various chemicals and/or cross-contaminants that have been associated with test interference. Vaping devices can be contaminated by prior drug use (if shared) or by additives that increase the risk of “false-positive” readings.

What are Best Practices for Dealing with Donors who Vape?

• Pre-Test Questions
  Ask donors about recent vaping activity, including the type of substances (Nicotine, CBD, THC) and time since last use. This information can help interpret results and clarify any potential interferences.
• Waiting Period Before Testing
  Encourage donors who vape to refrain from vaping for 15-30 minutes before the test to reduce the risk of residue affecting the oral sample. The typical guidance for oral testing is “nil by mouth” 15 minutes prior, it may be slightly longer for vapers, research is ongoing.
• Confirmatory Testing
  For any not-negative/unconfirmed result, confirmatory testing by a laboratory using more sophisticated techniques like Liquid Chromatography/ Mass spectrometry (LC-MSMS) or Gas Chromatography /Mass Spectrometry (GC-MSMS) can differentiate between legitimate drug use and vape-related interferences.

What are the Differences Between Vape Brands and Products?

• Nicotine & THC content vapes vary widely in content with higher-end brands potentially having stricter quality controls in reducing contaminants. Cheaper/unregulated brands, especially those with synthetic cannabinoids or THC, are more likely to contain impurities that could interfere with tests.
• Additives and Flavourings – certain brands use proprietary blends of additives and flavourings. Some of these ingredients, like menthol or cinnamon flavouring, have been suggested to create interferences in lower-quality tests, though not generally in laboratory-grade tests – again, research is ongoing.
• Product Purity and Regulation – laboratory tested brands with published contents are preferable in reducing unknown additives. Unregulated brands often have less transparency regarding contents, increasing the chance of contaminants.

Can Vaping Impact Urine Tests?

Yes, vaping can impact urine drug tests, though generally, it has less effect than oral fluid drug tests. THC may be present for up to 28 days in urine after vaping. Vaping can impact urine tests especially with THC or unregulated additives with the effect more predictable and less prone to incidental contamination than with oral testing.

In summary, while vaping does not directly lead to drug confirmed positive results, it can affect oral and urine drug test outcomes by leaving residues that may cause interferences and/or cross-reactivity in certain drug panels. This is particularly for amphetamines and/or THC.

Our best practice recommendations include pre-test enquiries about vaping, a waiting period before sample collection, and confirmatory testing when not-negatives/unconfirmed arise. Regulated, reputable vape brands tend to carry a lower risk of contamination or test interference compared to unregulated ones.

What about Vaping & Workplace Testing Programs? 

Clear guidelines on vaping and communication helps mitigate the impact if a compromised result arises. If deployed correctly, testing in the workplace is a valuable asset in ensuring a safe and productive working environment.

The tone for an effective and engaging drug and alcohol testing program should be “it’s not here to catch you, but rather it’s here to support you”. Crucial to this is the organisations’ workplace policy, procedure, training and the management’s intent within it.

Our comprehensive drug and alcohol testing solutions ensures a complete service that can be customised to suit your specific requirements. We provide policy and procedure review, training, support and can perform on site drug and alcohol testing, should that be your preferred choice. Continue reading about our workplace drug and alcohol testing solutions.