Trendy e-cigarettes enter Europe: chemical characterization of JUUL pods and its aerosols.

Introduction:
This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the chemical characterization of JUUL pods and aerosols, with a focus on the trendy e-cigarette brand that has recently entered the European market. The study compares the vapor generation and nicotine delivery of the initial European version, a modified European version, and the original american high-nicotine variant using a machine vaping set-up. additionally, benzoic acid and carbonyl compounds are quantified in the aerosol. The concentrations of nicotine, benzoic acid, propylene glycol, and glycerol, along with the density and ph value of JUUL e-liquids are also assessed.

Key Points:

* The initial European version of JUUL did not compensate for the low nicotine content in the liquid.
* The modified European version showed evidence of increased vaporization, resulting in nicotine delivery per puff approximating the american original.
* The increase in vaporization was not associated with an increased generation of carbonyl compounds.
* The study suggests a similar addictiveness of the enhanced European version and the original american product.
* The authors discuss technical aspects of vaping machine experiments and provide a scientific ground for monitoring current and future directions of product development.
* The authors also discuss potential risks and benefits of e-cigarette use, including the impact of nicotine on brain development and the cardiovascular system, and the assumption that smokers who switch to e-cigarettes do not quit nicotine consumption.

Main Message:
This article highlights the importance of monitoring and analyzing the chemical composition and nicotine delivery of e-cigarettes, particularly trendy brands like JUUL that have recently entered the European market. The study provides evidence of an increased vaporization and nicotine delivery in a modified European version of JUUL, suggesting a similar addictiveness to the original american product. The findings emphasize the need for further research on the potential risks and benefits of e-cigarette use, and the importance of developing regulations and policies that protect public health while taking into account the potential benefits of e-cigarettes as a harm reduction tool.

Mallock N, Trieu hL, Macziol M, et al. Trendy e-cigarettes enter Europe: chemical characterization of JUUL pods and its aerosols. archives of toxicology. 2020;94(6):1985-1994. doi:10.1007/s00204-020-02716-3