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

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.

Fig. 1

Percent Difference of Labeled vs. Measured Nicotine Concentration (N = 51). Comparisons of nicotine percentages using common units of mg/mL were made using an e-liquid density correction to convert nicotine mg/g to mg/mL. Density data are not shown. Measured nicotine concentrations (Grey Area) were lower than labeled nicotine concentrations (Outlined Areas) for the majority of evaluated commercial disposable/non-chargeable e-cigarette products. The percent differences from the label (Figure 1, right column) ranged from -50.1 to 13.9%

Fig. 2

Percent Difference of Labeled vs. Measured E-liquid Volume (N =39). Measured e-liquid volumes (Grey Area) were lower than labeled e-liquid volumes (Outlined Area) for the majority of evaluated commercial disposable/non-rechargeable e-cigarette products. The percent differences from the label (Figure 2, right column) ranged from -62.1 to 13.3%