Title | How Much Nicotine is in Your Electronic Cigarette Flavored Liquid? |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2019 |
Authors | Guy, MC, Pokhrel, P, Herzog, TA, Cassel, KD, Sakuma, K-L, Trinidad, DR, Palafox, S, Halquist, MS, Eissenberg, T, Bodnar-Deren, S, Fagan, P |
Journal | Tobacco Regulatory Science |
Volume | 5 |
Issue | 1 |
Pagination | 15 - 26 |
Date Published | 01/2019 |
ISSN | 2333-9748 |
Abstract | ObjectivesIn this study, we examined the concordance of manufacturers' labeled nicotine concentration on flavored electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) liquids with lab measured nicotine concentrations and how nicotine is marketed on product labels. MethodsThe top 10 selling flavored e-cigarette liquids for 7 brands were purchased from 7 vape shops in 2 major US cities – Richmond, Virginia and Honolulu, Hawaii, in 2015. We examined the nicotine concentration using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (.05mg/mL limit of quantification) and descriptive information on the e-cigarette bottles (N = 40). ResultsAll nicotine-based samples showed discordance between the labeled and lab measured nicotine concentrations. Overall, 27% showed a higher mean level of measured nicotine, and Richmond, VA samples showed the highest levels of discordance (-60% [pipe tobacco]; 39% [green goblin]). Additionally, 90% of the 6 different types of nicotine-related warning statements indicated that the product "may" contain nicotine ("e-liquid may contain nicotine") even when the product contained nicotine. Moreover, 20% of the e-cigarette liquids included descriptors (low, medium, high nicotine). ConclusionsThe findings show that e-cigarette manufacturers provided inaccurate information about nicotine on product labels. Studies are needed to determine what quality control standards are needed to protect the public from the harms of nicotine. |
DOI | 10.18001/TRS.5.1.2 |
Short Title | tobacco reg sci |