Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes have been marketed as a safer alternative to traditional smoking, with some even claiming to be nicotine-free. However, recent testing has revealed that many of these supposedly harmless alternatives are actually high in addictive substances. In this article, we will delve into the world of e-cigarettes and explore the potential risks associated with the increasingly popular vaping trend.
Recent tests have shown that some high street vapes marketed as nicotine-free actually contain the same level of addictive substances as full-strength e-cigarettes, raising concerns about misleading claims and illegal sales practices. The data was shared with the Guardian by Inter Scientific, a company that offers analytical testing on products to ensure they meet regulations, and examined dozens of vape brands sold in shops across England and Wales. Over 73% of the 52 products bought in England were shown to be above the legal e-cigarette tank capacity of 2ml, while over 40% had been filled with 5ml of liquid or more. Eight devices that were purporting to contain no addictive substances actually contained up to 20mg/ml of nicotine, and one vape was found to have levels more than 50% higher than the legal limit. Regulations currently specify that vape tanks must have a capacity of no more than 2ml, and a nicotine strength of no more than 20mg/ml, making any products that exceed these limits illegal.
The findings come as the government takes action to crack down on the sale of e-cigarettes to under-18s, launching an “illicit vapes enforcement squad”. Concerns about the targeting of vapes at children have been longstanding, but adult use is also increasing. Despite these concerns, the government has recently announced plans for one million smokers to switch from cigarettes to vapes, with e-cigarette starter kits to be offered to almost one in five smokers in England. A “swap to stop” scheme has been set up to encourage use of nicotine replacement therapies, with pregnant women also being offered up to £400 ($540) to quit smoking.
Inter Scientific is working with Trading Standards to tackle the sale of illicit products, which often ignore regulations. More than 1.4 tonnes of illegal vapes were seized in the last six months of 2022 in the north-east of England alone. David Lawson, CEO at Inter Scientific and a fellow of the Organisation for Professionals in Regulatory Affairs said that his company had seen a large increase in the number of illegal vape products being seized by trading standards and sent for analysis: “Though these products don’t pose an immediate health risk, they are circumventing UK regulation”. None of the e-cigarettes studied were listed in the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, despite regulations stating that all vapes should display a list of ingredients and manufacturer’s details, along with relevant health warnings so that any harm associated with them can be logged. In 2022, the MHRA received 40 reports of harmful reactions associated with e-cigarettes.
The government has allocated £3m ($4.1m) in funding to tackle the sale of illegal vapes and is planning further test purchases to remove banned products from shops and borders. The government will also call for evidence in an attempt to reduce the number of children accessing and using vapes. The Chartered Trading Standards Institute’s CEO, John Herriman, warned that it remained “concerned about the vast amount of illegal and non-compliant vapes available for sale and would urge manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers to do more to ensure the products they are selling comply with all of the regulations”.
In conclusion, the results of these tests are concerning and highlight the importance of further regulation in the vaping industry. While many people have turned to e-cigarettes as a so-called “healthier” alternative to smoking, the truth is that their safety is not yet fully understood. It’s crucial that individuals, especially young people, are aware of the risks and make informed decisions about their e-cigarette usage. As more research is conducted on this topic, it is our hope that we can start to better understand the long-term effects of vaping and make more informed decisions about our health.
