Illicit presence of nicotine and heavy metals in e-cigarettes sold online in the UK

Two product analyses have shown that some e-cigarettes sold online as being nicotine-free still contain nicotine, and that e-cigarettes sold illegally may contain nicotine. high doses of heavy metals such as lead, nickel or chromium.

The online sale of e-cigarettes has long been criticised in terms of the protection of minors and the verification of the age of customers. Today, it is the content of the products offered for sale, both online and in physical stores, which is being questioned in the United Kingdom. Two laboratory test cases have shown that e-cigarettes may contain more toxic substances than they declare.

Presence of nicotine in products claiming not to contain it

One of these analyses was commissioned by journalists from the LBC media outlet, after they bought e-cigarettes on Amazon that should not have been sold in the UK.[1]These disposable electronic cigarettes contained 3,500 puffs, six times more than the 600 puffs permitted for sale in this country.[2]. In addition, online sales and home delivery did not allow the age of customers to be identified.

Two of the models purchased – Fizzy Cherry ENE Legend and Blue Razz Ice Lost Mary BM3500 – also contained nicotine, even though they were expressly sold as nicotine-free. Amazon, which does not generally sell e-cigarettes with nicotine, defended itself by pointing out the responsibility of individual resellers and indicating that it had excluded the two sellers concerned. These sellers are indeed supposed to respect all the laws in force as well as the Amazon sales charter.

Presence of heavy metals in electronic cigarettes

In another investigation, BBC News journalists had 18 e-cigarettes confiscated from a college in Kidderminster analysed by a specialist laboratory.[3]. The results of the analyses indicated a presence of lead 2.4 times higher than the authorized thresholds, but also of nickel (up to 9.6 times the authorized threshold) and chromium (up to 6.6 times the authorized threshold). These heavy metals did not come from the device but were found in the e-liquid, which is unusual and seems new, according to the laboratory technician called. The presence of lead seemed particularly worrying, since high concentrations can alter the central nervous system and the development of the brain of children, and should have led to the withdrawal of sale of all products.

The same analysis also highlighted the significant presence of carbonyls in e-liquids which, under the effect of heat, decompose into formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, two carcinogenic compounds. The latter two were found in the analyses at thresholds ten times higher than those usually tolerated and sometimes higher than those of cigarettes.

In the UK, all e-cigarettes and their e-liquids must be registered with the Medicine and Health Care Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and comply with all regulations regarding ingredients, packaging and marketing. However, the agency only assesses compliance based on the written declaration of products and does not have the power to initiate investigations. The Department of Health and Social Care has announced the creation of a new £3 million vaping inspection unit, which will be tasked with removing illicit products from shelves and screening products as they arrive at the border. In contrast, the Netherlands has announced plans to phase out the MHRA from 1^er July 2023 all online sales of electronic cigarettes, whether or not they contain nicotine.

Keywords: United Kingdom, e-cigarettes, nicotine, lead, nickel, chromium.

©Tobacco Free Generation

M.F.

[1] Knight F, Vapes falsely advertised as nicotine-free sold online without age checks, LBC investigation finds, LBC, published May 22, 2023, accessed May 24, 2023.

[2] According to the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (TRPR) applicable in the UK, the size of e-cigarette tanks must not exceed 2 ml, or 550 to 600 puffs.

[3] Pym H, Watkinson L, Vaping: High lead and nickel found in illegal vapes, BBC News, published 23 May 2023, accessed 24 May 2023.