Squirrels are now vaping in Brixton
Viral footage circulating online shows the dangers of e-cigarettes on local wildlife and animals, as squirrels have now picked up the habit.
The footage shows the animals in a park in Brixton, South London, nibbling on the mouthpiece of different vapes, attempting to extract the fruity scent that drew them in. Experts say they are mistaking the fruity aroma for a food source.
Though the videos have amused users of X, the animal charity RSPCA has warned against the dangers squirrels could now face.
As per The Standard, an RSPCA spokesperson warned, “The sight of this squirrel holding a disposable vape is a stark reminder of the danger discarded litter poses to our wildlife.”
They added, “Sadly, this is the tip of the iceberg – as five million single-use e-cigarettes were thrown away every week, according to research, prior to a government ban on their sale.”
The warning went on, “Many of them end up as litter in our environment, our rivers, and the ocean, where they can cause harm to animals and marine life.”
Vapes contain hazardous materials such as plastic, lithium, and nicotine. Moreover, the fruity aroma can linger on the device for months after the e-cigarette was last used, posing a continued threat to wildlife.
This is not the first time a squirrel has been spotted with a vape. Earlier this year, a video on TikTok, which depicted a squirrel climbing a fence with a vape in its mouth, went viral.
Additionally, it was recently reported that a bird was poisoned and subsequently died in New Zealand after swallowing a vape. There has also been a massive increase in incidents where pets, such as dogs and cats, have been harmed by vapes and vape liquids.
In 2025, London made an effort to reduce the amount of plastic litter in the surrounding environments; the city banned the sale of single-use disposable vapes from June 1st, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of lithium battery waste and curb rising youth vaping rates.