Market survey of disposable e-cigarette nicotine content and e-liquid volume

BMC Public Health. 2022 Sep 16;22(1):1760. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-14152-2.

Abstract

Inaccurate labels on some e-cigarette products have prompted calls for routine testing to monitor product label integrity. The objective of this study was to compare label statements of commercial disposable/non-chargeable e-cigarette products for nicotine concentration and e-liquid volume with analytically verified levels. Commercial e-cigarette samples were analyzed for nicotine concentration (N = 51), e-liquid volume and total nicotine content (N = 39). Twenty-three of the 51 samples analyzed for nicotine deviated from their label statements by more than ± 10%. Deviations ranged from -50.1% to + 13.9%. Thirty of the 39 samples analyzed for e-liquid volume deviated from their label statements by more than ± 10%. Deviations ranged from -62.1% to + 13.3%. Only one brand listed total nicotine on the label. In thirty-one of the 39 samples, calculated total nicotine amount in e-liquid deviated from the amounts calculated from the label metrics by more than ± 10%. Deviations ranged from -66.8% to -1.43%. These findings underscore the need for regulatory enforcement of manufacturing quality control and product labeling practices to optimize the harm reduction potential and consumer experience associated with the use of e-cigarette products.

Keywords: Nicotine levels; Product labeling; e-cigarettes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems*
  • Humans
  • Nicotine
  • Product Labeling
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Tobacco Products*

Substances

  • Nicotine