Police seize over 40 cannabis vapes in southeast Finland as youth trend grows

Police in southeast Finland have confiscated 42 cannabis vapes in Lappeenranta as part of a broader narcotics investigation, marking the region’s first major seizure of its kind, Yle reports.

The case, linked to two local residents accused of distributing cannabis, cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy, and prescription drugs classified as narcotics, will be handed to prosecutors in early June.

Authorities warn that cannabis vapes—often more expensive than traditional e-cigarettes—are gaining traction among minors. If a vape contains cannabis, its use or possession constitutes a drug offense under Finnish law. Parents finding such devices are urged to check for cannabis leaf imagery, the abbreviation THC, or the word cannabis.

Police express concern that vaping cannabis may lower the threshold for youth to experiment with other drugs. “When the method of inhalation is familiar, the barrier to trying smoked opioids or marijuana drops,” said Lari Rönkä, head of the serious crimes unit in southeast Finland.

Regional disparities exist: while cannabis vapes are rarely encountered in southern Finland, police in Lapland and Oulu report near-daily seizures. No separate statistics track these devices, as they are logged under general drug offenses.