Top doctors say vapers are getting injuries comparable to gunshot wounds from exploding e-cigs

VAPERS are sustaining injuries comparable to being "shot in the face" according to plastic surgeons at a British hospital.

Surgeons at Morriston Hospital's Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery said they had treated five patients for burns after their batteries in their e-cigs exploded.

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Dai Nguyen, a consultant plastic surgeon at the Swansea based unit said: “Before this year, we hadn’t seen any injuries like this.

"Now we have had five, which reflects the rising popularity of these e-cigarettes."

Three of the patients had the devices in their trousers when they blew up.

A 25-year-old, who was paintballing at the time, was among the injured as was a factory worker who suffered burns to his thigh and groin, as well as his hand when he tried to pat out the flames.

Victims of the most serious vape pen explosions have required skin grafts and surgery in the most serious instances.

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Dr Nguyen added: “It’s not just us, this is something that is starting to be highlighted nationwide. I think we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg.

“I suspect a lot of A&E departments may also be dealing with these incidents and we’re just not aware of them.

"I am aware of other cases which have required surgery and skin grafts.

“There have also been reports of e-cigarettes exploding in people’s mouths which resulted in

catastrophic injuries similar to those you would experience if you were shot in the face by a gun.”

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In the past year the Mid and west Wales fire service has been called out to six house fires caused by e-cigs exploding.

Swansea Council trading standards officer David Picken urged customers not to be tempted by cheap imports and to always take care when buying.

He said: "These chargers have not been constructed to the correct safety standards and are often counterfeit.

"Take additional care when buying online. Consider carefully if the cheapest is the best, particularly when the goods are coming directly to you from a business outside of the UK and EU."