Ireland: Warning over vaping products containing illegal high levels of nicotine

The National Environmental Health Service (HSE) has issued a RAPEX alert notification to Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products, about two e-cigarette products containing illegal levels of nicotine on sale in Ireland. Consumers are being urged to return the products to the point of sale, and distributors are being asked to stop selling them.

The National Environmental Health Service (HSE) has issued an alert regarding two e-cigarette products that contain nicotine levels above the legal limit of 20mg/ml. The products in question are "E-LIQUID: Tobacco 24mg/ml, Ben Son 24mg/ml and USA Mix 24mg/ml" and "QST Puff Flex 2800 puffs 5% nicotine electronic cigarette" in the sub-brands Red Bull, Peach Ice, Blueberry on Ice, Watermelon Ice, and Mango Ice.

Recurring alerts for products containing high levels of nicotine in Ireland and Europe

During laboratory analyses, it was discovered that the nicotine content of these products exceeds the authorized 20mg/ml or 2%, reaching up to 25.4 mg/ml for E-LIQUID refills and more than 30mg/ml for the QST Puff Flex 2800 puffs.[1]

The HSE has alerted distributors and importers of these products, urging them to cease distribution immediately. Dr Maurice Mulcahy, HSE Regional Environmental Health Officer, reminded e-cigarette manufacturers and importers of their obligation to comply with all legislative requirements, including the requirement to notify the HSE in advance via the European Common Entry Gate.[2]

" I must remind manufacturers and importers of electronic cigarettes and refill containers [e-liquids] that it is their responsibility to ensure that they fully comply with all legislative requirements. " recalled Dr. Mulcahy.

The Irish health authority has urged consumers of the affected products not to use them and to return them to the store where they purchased them. Anyone who experiences "serious adverse reactions" to the products is advised to contact their GP and inform the HSE.

The HSE had already issued several alerts in 2022 and 2023 in Ireland about vaping products containing very high levels of nicotine. Some disposable e-cigarettes contained up to 50mg/ml (5%) of nicotine even though these products were sold in packaging that indicated a nicotine concentration of 20mg/ml. Laboratory tests in several European countries had already shown that several brands of vaping products, including puffs, actually contained a higher nicotine level than that indicated on the packaging.

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[1] HSE, HSE warns people to stop using e-cigarette products containing illegal levels of nicotine, HSE press release, published 5 June 2024, accessed 11 June 2024