Are Geek Bars Bad For You?

Geek Bars have been making headlines for all the wrong reasons recently. There have been reports of “Super-strength” Geek Bars finding their way into the hands of teenagers. With the stories spreading on social media like wildfire, Geek Bar’s reputation has taken a hit.

It is a genuine concern for vapers, particularly those looking for disposable vape bars, especially Geek Bars, which specialise in disposable vapes. The question in the minds of most vapers is whether Geek Bars are safe.

The short and sweet answer is, yes, they are. Geek Bars are safe and legal. They are fully regulated for the UK market. However, the problem has been the introduction of stronger devices that are not meant for the UK market, some of which are counterfeit devices.

What are Geek Bars?

When you're looking for answers, the best place to start is from the basics. Understanding Geek Bars and what they are about can shed light on how they function and give you a new perspective of their safety.

Geek Bar is a brand name for a line of disposable vapes from Geekvape. Geek Vape is a reputable company that has been in the vaping market for a long time. Before developing Geek Bars, Geekvape specialised in manufacturing high-end advanced vape kits.

Geek Bars is the flagship project for disposable vape pens by Geekvape. This line of products was designed to cater to a new and fast-growing section of vapers who wanted simple, portable, and maintenance-free devices that were more convenient than the standard vape kits.

Geek Bars work the same way as the standard vape kits. The only difference is that the Geek Bars are designed for people who already use nicotine. They come pre-filled with vape juice, and all you have to do is purchase the device and start vaping.

Geek Bars appeal mainly to smokers who want to make the switch from smoking to vaping and also pre-existing vape users that want a backup device that they can use on the road. That said, Geek Bars are an entry-level product designed for new vapers.

Are Geek Bars Illegal in the UK?

Given all the bad press that Geek Bars are receiving, you would think that Geek Bars are illegal in the UK. Geek Bars are legal. However, they are highly regulated because they contain nicotine which puts them under the Tobacco Products Directive, which came into force in May 2016.

This directive lays out the rules and regulations for manufacturing and selling tobacco products. Some of the TPD rules include;

• Maximum vape tank capacity of 2ml
• Maximum nicotine strength of 20mg/ml or 20% for e-liquid
• All products should be submitted to the MHRA for approval before sale
• The product must carry all the relevant warnings and information on using tobacco products.

It’s not just Geek Bars, but all vape products that contain nicotine in their e-liquid can only have specific strengths and volumes in the UK.

However, this regulation doesn't apply in other countries like the US, where the nicotine levels can be much higher than what is allowed in the UK.

Types of Geek Bars

There are three main types of Geek Bars. Each type has different features and nicotine concentrations and volumes. According to the UK’s TPD rules, some types of Geek Bars are approved for use in the UK while others are not.

Geek Bar Lite

The Geek Bar Lite is the first Geek Bar type. This option offers 1.8ml of e-liquid and 20mg/ml concentration of nicotine strength in the form of nic salt. The device can offer up to 400 puffs. There are numerous flavours the user can choose from. Because the Geek Bar Lite meets the TPD regulations set in the UK, this type of Geek Bar is approved for use in the UK and is considered safe.

Geek Bar Standard

The Geek Bar standard is slightly more advanced than the Elite. It holds a little more vape liquid and has more puffs.

The Geek Bar (Standard) has 2ml of e-liquid provides up to 575 puffs when vaping. The nicotine concentration in the device is 20mg/ml or 2% nic salt. Like the Elite, the standard is within the TPD regulations in the UK and is also approved for use within the UK.

Geek Bar Pro

The Pro is the most advanced type of Geek Bar. It holds 4.5ml of e-liquid, has 50mg/ml strength of 5% of nic salts, and can deliver up to 1500 puffs. Clearly, that is well above the TPD limitation in the UK. The Geek Bar Pro is what has been often referred to as the "Super-Strength" Geek Bar. The Geek Bar Pro is not approved for use in the UK. It can only be used in the US because it contravenes the TPD regulations.

While the Geek Bar Elite and Standard are legal devices in the UK, the Pro is not. However, there are dealers that might attempt to sell the Pro in the UK. It’s essential that you only buy your vape products from reputable retailers. You should also avoid third-party purchases as much as possible.

Is Geek Bar Safe?

While some types of Geek Bar are legal in the UK, that doesn't mean they are safe. Luckily for vapers in the UK, the devices that have been approved for use in the UK are also safe. Geek Bars are from Geekvape, which is a reputable and trusted hardware brand in the vaping industry. Geekvape is the name behind many of the leading standard vaporisers.

However, it is essential to note that only the devices that are compliant with the TPD guidelines and have MHRA approval are safe for use in the UK.

Considering how complex vapes can be, it’s understandable that some vapers have reservations about what is inside the vapes and the e-liquids. But Geek Vapes are different. They are simple. They comprise a lithium-ion battery, a 2 ml tank, a coil for heating the liquid, and a mouthpiece. All these are housed in a plastic casing.

The liquid used in the Geek Bar disposable vapes contains nicotine salts, which are extracted from tobacco leaves and two food-grade carrier liquids; vegetable glycerine and propylene glycol.

Everything used to make the Geek Bar is legal and safe to use. Geek Bars also limit operational error because they come prefilled, charged and ready to use. All you have to do is get the device out of the packaging and start vaping.

However, the device can only be safe to use if you ensure you only buy genuine devices and those made to UK specs.

How Do I know My Geek Bar is Real?

One of the easiest ways to tell that you have a genuine Geek Bar is to shop from reputable sellers. If you’re in doubt, Geekvape has a verification tool that you can use. You need to locate the security code on the device and enter it on the verification page. If your device doesn't have a code, it's likely counterfeit, and you should dispose of it immediately.

The Bottom Line

Vaping is still relatively new and fast-growing. There is still a lot about it that people don't know. Understandably, the larger public might have reservations about vaping and certain vaping devices. However, with the growth of the industry, you can always expect someone to try and make quick money by making substandard products. This has been the case for Geek Bar, which has caused concerns about the safety of the device.

If you purchase the right Geek Bar vape that is approved for use in the UK, you shouldn't have anything to worry about. The problem is with counterfeit devices that don't meet the required standard and buying devices not meant for use in the UK.