Nicotine levels in electronic cigarette refill solutions: a comparative analysis of products from the US, Korea, and Poland

Introduction:
This text discusses a study that analyzed the nicotine levels in electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) refill solutions from the United States, South Korea, and Poland. The study aimed to estimate the accuracy of labelled nicotine concentrations of the analyzed e-liquids by comparing detected amounts with amounts declared on product packaging.

Key Points:

* The study examined 91 commercial products, with 32 from the United States, 29 from South Korea, and 30 from Poland.
* The products were tested in a laboratory and the nicotine concentrations were measured using gas chromatography with a nitrogen-phosphorous detector.
* The study found that the majority of the products had accurately labelled nicotine concentrations, but there were some discrepancies.
* In the US products, nicotine concentration varied from 0 to 36.6 mg/ml and traces of nicotine were found in three products labelled as 'nicotine free'.
* In South Korean samples, two thirds of tested products did not contain detectable amounts of nicotine, while nicotine concentration in other products varied from 6.4 ± 0.7 to 150.3 ± 7.9 mg/ml.
* In Polish samples, nicotine concentration varied from 0 to 24.7 mg/ml and none of the products labelled as 'nicotine-free' contained detectable amounts of nicotine.
* The study found significant discrepancies (>20%) in the labelled nicotine concentrations in 19% of analysed e-liquids.

Main Message:
The study highlights the need for accurate labelling and regulation of e-cigarette refill solutions. The findings suggest that there are inconsistencies in the labelling of nicotine concentrations in e-liquids, and the presence of nicotine in products labelled as 'nicotine-free' raises concerns about the quality control of these products. The study emphasizes the importance of establishing manufacturing standards and regulatory measures to ensure the safety and accuracy of e-cigarette refill solutions.

Goniewicz, Maciej L., Ribhav Gupta, Yong hee Lee, Skyler Reinhardt, Sungroul Kim, Bokyeong Kim, Leon Kosmider, and andrzej Sobczak. “Nicotine Levels in Electronic Cigarette Refill Solutions: a Comparative analysis of Products from the US, Korea, and Poland.” International Journal of Drug Policy 26, no. 6 (June 2015): 583–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2015.01.020.