Mislabeling of nicotine in vapes sparks call for stricter regulations

• Hapai Te Hauora has criticised vape companies following revelations nicotine levels are widely mislabelled in NZ.

• More than half the 221 vaping products tested had inaccurate nicotine levels - mostly lower than stated.

• The mislabeling could hinder smoking cessation efforts and increase addiction risks.

  
  

Māori health organization Hapai Te Hauora is furious at the contents of a report in today’s NZ Medical Journal that reveals widespread mislabeling of nicotine levels on e-liquid vape products.

Two hundred and twenty one vaping products sold in New Zealand were examined by the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) and that data was also reviewed by an Otago University research team led by Dr Jude Ball, Senior Research Fellow.

It revealed more than half of the products had nicotine levels that were different to what was on the label: some higher, some lower - some wildly inaccurate.

Jasmine Graham, Māori Public Health Manager for Tobacco Control for Hāpai Te Hauora, said the data confirms what Hapai has long suspected.

“If vaping is presented as a smoking cessation tool, then we must ... ensure vapes are a safe and effective short-term alternative,” she said.

“Currently, vaping is an option provided by local stop smoking services as a nicotine alternative to help quit smoking ... Leaving people in the dark about the amount of nicotine they’re consuming undermines efforts to quit smoking and risks people developing deeper addictions.”

The report found more than half the vape products tested had inaccurate nicotine levels when compared to the information provided on their labels or packages.

Leaving people in the dark about the amount of nicotine they’re consuming undermines efforts to quit smoking

“Most of the mislabeled products (95%) had significantly less nicotine than advertised—some by over 50%," the report said.

“This mislabeling could make it harder for people trying to stop smoking; if they do not get enough nicotine from vaping, they may return to smoking, which would increase the risks they face.

“Alternatively, they could begin vaping more frequently or intensely, which could also increase health risks. A small number of mislabeled products (5%) had more nicotine than stated, which could raise addiction risks. These findings highlight the need for stronger enforcement of regulations and greater transparency about product testing results.”

“This mislabeling could make it harder for people trying to stop smoking; if they do not get enough nicotine from vaping, they may return to smoking,

Researcher Dr Jude Ball said the 221 vape products were randomly selected and were from local and international suppliers.

“There are new products coming out all the time. It’s a big market.”

Ball said there were major issues with mislabelling nicotine levels.

“For people using vaping to quit smoking, and it has less nicotine, it will not satisfy their cravings,” Ball said.

“They could vape more or breathe in more deeply or go back to smokes, and that’s a real concern.”