Dutch consumer watchdog ACM has opened an investigation into social media app Snapchat for allowing the large-scale illegal sale of vapes to minors, in breach of European legislation.

The ACM is following up on a request made by anti-smoking lobby Stichting Rookpreventie and product safety organisation NVWA this summer to initiate a probe into possible illegal dealings on the platform.

According to ACM official Manon Leijten, there is enough information to warrant an investigation into a possible breach by Snapchat of the Digital Service Act, which is aimed at creating a safe digital space free of illegal content and disinformation.

If Snapchat is found to have failed to protect minors from the sale of vapes, it will face a fine.

Many of the vapes offered up for sale on the platform are also illegal because they contain flavourings, which are particularly attractive to children.

The sale of vapes is not allowed on Snapchat, and “reasonable, proportional and effective measures” have been taken to prevent it, American-owned parent company Snap Inc said earlier.

In May this year, 16 hospitals reported dealing with multiple patients with serious lung problems as a result of vaping, including collapsed lungs and COPD. At least eight of them witnessed youngsters having asthma attacks as a result of their habit.

Some five teenagers and young adults almost died after excessive vaping, and four were kept in an artificial coma for a longer period.

The ACM has not said when it expects to publish its findings.