Oliver Meier knows the problem. So-called vapes, i.e. e-cigarettes, are also in circulation at his school without permission. The principal at the Sigmund-Wann-Realschule in Bavaria sees an urgent need for action. He explains to Bayerischer Rundfunk: “The danger is that you never know what’s in it. It’s not just a vape with some mango flavor. It can also contain a banned substance and often not even the student who has the thing with them knows that. Often the students are simply offered it somewhere and think: ‘Yes, I’ll take it with me and try it out.'”

After the death of men in Schwandorf: Suspicion of “baller liquids consumption”

One Vape is an electronic device that heats a liquid and releases it as a vapor for inhalation. These often involve substances such as nicotine. However, the rector speaks of so-called “Baller liquids“. A drug that is filled into vapes and is 300 times more potent than cannabis. The side effects are tough: consumption can cause, among other things, palpitations, seizures, panic attacks and psychoses. At the end of February, two men were found dead in Schwandorf. The cause of death is suspected: “Baller liquids consumption”.

Addiction prevention officer warns of rapid addiction

The high only lasts about half an hour. This increases the potential for addiction. The drug is also cheap. Ten milliliters cost 30 euros. That’s just under five euros per vape. Stefanie Vollert from the Hof criminal police is an addiction prevention officer. She is increasingly providing information about substances in schools and warns against rapid dependence: “Because the withdrawal symptoms are so severe, those affected quickly start using again in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms. That’s why many people slip into addiction so quickly.”

Kevin (name changed by the editors) also took a vape with “baller liquids” for the first time when he was 14 years old. “I had conscious seizures from it. I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t drink. I couldn’t sleep. I became aggressive. I started hallucinating and even sleepwalking again in my sleep. It’s like being sent to hell.” The police hopes to be able to prevent further incidents through educational work, including at schools.

The video appeared on March 19, 2026 in the TV show across from Bavarian Radio. You can watch this and other videos from quer free of charge at any time ARD media library Watch.” There is also more on the topic at BR24: “Baller liquids“? Teenager collapses after vape train.