Electronic Cigarette Refill Liquids: Child-Resistant Packaging, Nicotine Content, and Sales to Minors

Introduction:
This text discusses a study on the accuracy of nicotine content labeling and child-resistant packaging of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) refill liquids (e-liquids) sold in unlicensed vape stores in North Dakota prior to the implementation of a new e-cigarette state law. The study also assessed for the presence of minors within vape stores and any sales to minors of e-cigarettes, e-liquid, or other tobacco products.

Key Points:

* The study tested samples of e-liquids for nicotine content and observed for child-resistant packaging and the presence of minors in 16 vape stores across North Dakota.
* Of the 70 collected e-liquid samples that claimed to contain nicotine, 17% contained more than the labeled quantity and 34% contained less than the labeled quantity by 10% or more.
* Of the 94 e-liquid containers sampled, only 35% were determined to be child-resistant.
* Minors were present in stores, although no sales to minors occurred.
* Mislabeling of nicotine in e-liquids is common and exposes the user to the harmful effects of nicotine.
* The lack of child-resistant packaging for this potentially toxic substance is a serious public health problem.
* E-cigarettes should be included in the legal definition of tobacco products, child-resistant packaging and nicotine labeling laws should be enacted and strictly enforced, and vape stores should be licensed by states.

Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of accurate labeling and child-resistant packaging of e-liquids to protect users, especially children, from the harmful effects of nicotine. The lack of strict regulations on e-cigarettes and e-liquids poses a significant public health concern, and the study emphasizes the need for the inclusion of e-cigarettes in tobacco product definitions, stricter enforcement of labeling and packaging laws, and licensing of vape stores. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers and regulators to consider in developing effective regulations to ensure the safety and health of the public.

Buettner-Schmidt, Kelly, Donald R. Miller, and Narayanaganesh Balasubramanian. “Electronic Cigarette Refill Liquids: Child-Resistant Packaging, Nicotine Content, and Sales to Minors.” Journal of Pediatric Nursing 31, no. 4 (July 2016): 373–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2016.03.019.