Characterising vaping products in the United Kingdom: an analysis of Tobacco Products Directive notification data

Aims To analyse content and emission data submitted by manufacturers for nicotine-containing vaping products in the United Kingdom (UK) accordance with European Union Tobacco Products Directive. Design Analysis of ingredient reported all e-liquid-containing e-cigarettes, cartridges or refill containers notified to Medicines Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) from November 2016 October 2017. Setting Cases A total 40 785 e-liquid containing products. Measurements The average number ingredients per product, nicotine concentrations, frequency occurrence levels chemical emissions. Findings Reports were not standardised relation units measurement constituent nomenclature. listed an 17 3.3% contain nicotine. 59% contained <12 mg mL, <1% have concentrations above legal limit 20 mg/mL. Over 1500 reported, other than most commonly non-flavour propylene glycol (97% products) glycerol (71%). common flavour ethyl butyrate (42%), vanillin (35%) maltol (33%). frequently emissions (65%), formaldehyde (48%) acetaldehyde (40%). reporting concentration was standardised; a format allowing analysis median estimated between 13% 100% each emission. Most emissions, nicotine, present below 1 μg/L inspired air, exception acrolein diacetyl, at Chemicals Long Term Exposure States (US) Department Labor Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) limits, where these available. Conclusions An reports Kingdom's shows that (i) large range (ii) system is unstandardized terms requirements, (iii) quantified are part published safe limits ambient air.