Characterization of vaping liquids used in vaping devices across four countries: Results from an analysis of selected vaping liquids reported by users in the 2016 ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey

Ann McNeill; Brian V Fix; Noel Leigh; M Palumbo; Sara Hitchman; Georges Nahhas; Bill King; David Hammond; K Michael Cummings; Ron Borland; Geoffrey T Fong; Richard J. O’Connor; Maciej Lukasz Goniewicz

Characterization of vaping liquids used in vaping devices across four countries: Results from an analysis of selected vaping liquids reported by users in the 2016 ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey

Ann McNeill, Brian V Fix, Noel Leigh, M Palumbo, Sara Hitchman, Georges Nahhas, Bill King, David Hammond, K Michael Cummings, Ron Borland, Geoffrey T Fong, Richard J. O’Connor, Maciej Lukasz Goniewicz

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Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study presents an analysis of vaping products (VPs) purchased in the United States, Canada, England, and Australia and assesses whether differences in regulations were associated with differences in the chemical composition of the VPs. METHODS: April-September 2017, a total of 234 VP refill liquids and pre-filled cartridges were purchased in convenience samples of retail locations in each country. Products were chosen from brands and styles most commonly reported by current VP users in the 2016 ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey. All products were tested for nicotine, tobacco-derived nitrosamines (TSNAs), minor tobacco alkaloids, organic acids, and flavouring chemicals. RESULTS: Consistent with the laws in Canada and Australia at the time of product purchase, nicotine was not detected in any of the VPs (n=10 in Canada; n=15 in Australia). US liquids (n=54) had a mean nicotine concentration of 16.2 mg/ml, (range=0.0-58.6), and English liquids (n=166) had a mean concentration of 11.9 mg/ml [ (range=0.0-31.2) F(3,244)=12.32, p<0.001]. About 5% of English samples exceeded the United Kingdom’s 20 mg/mL nicotine limit. Substantial country differences were observed in levels of tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), with the US being higher than elsewhere. Of all products tested, 18.8% contained at least one organic acid. Liquids purchased in England contained far more identifiable flavoring chemicals than those in the other countries. CONCLUSIONS: VP composition, particularly with respect to nicotine and flavoring, varies by country, likely reflecting both marketplace preferences and country-specific regulations. There are differences between nicotine levels claimed on the package and actual levels, particularly in England.

Original language	English
Journal	Tobacco Control
Publication status	Accepted/In press - 12 Apr 2021

Keywords

electronic nicotine delivery devices
nicotine
public policy

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McNeill, A., Fix, B. V., Leigh, N., Palumbo, M., Hitchman, S., Nahhas, G., King, B., Hammond, D., Michael Cummings, K., Borland, R., Fong, G. T., O’Connor, R. J., & Goniewicz, M. L. (Accepted/In press). Characterization of vaping liquids used in vaping devices across four countries: Results from an analysis of selected vaping liquids reported by users in the 2016 ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey. Tobacco Control.

@article{92194b26773342829f2e3129c36e13a1,

title = "Characterization of vaping liquids used in vaping devices across four countries: Results from an analysis of selected vaping liquids reported by users in the 2016 ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey",

abstract = "OBJECTIVES: This study presents an analysis of vaping products (VPs) purchased in the United States, Canada, England, and Australia and assesses whether differences in regulations were associated with differences in the chemical composition of the VPs. METHODS: April-September 2017, a total of 234 VP refill liquids and pre-filled cartridges were purchased in convenience samples of retail locations in each country. Products were chosen from brands and styles most commonly reported by current VP users in the 2016 ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey. All products were tested for nicotine, tobacco-derived nitrosamines (TSNAs), minor tobacco alkaloids, organic acids, and flavouring chemicals. RESULTS: Consistent with the laws in Canada and Australia at the time of product purchase, nicotine was not detected in any of the VPs (n=10 in Canada; n=15 in Australia). US liquids (n=54) had a mean nicotine concentration of 16.2 mg/ml, (range=0.0-58.6), and English liquids (n=166) had a mean concentration of 11.9 mg/ml [ (range=0.0-31.2) F(3,244)=12.32, p<0.001]. About 5% of English samples exceeded the United Kingdom{\textquoteright}s 20 mg/mL nicotine limit. Substantial country differences were observed in levels of tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), with the US being higher than elsewhere. Of all products tested, 18.8% contained at least one organic acid. Liquids purchased in England contained far more identifiable flavoring chemicals than those in the other countries. CONCLUSIONS: VP composition, particularly with respect to nicotine and flavoring, varies by country, likely reflecting both marketplace preferences and country-specific regulations. There are differences between nicotine levels claimed on the package and actual levels, particularly in England. ",

keywords = "electronic nicotine delivery devices, nicotine, public policy",

author = "Ann McNeill and Fix, {Brian V} and Noel Leigh and M Palumbo and Sara Hitchman and Georges Nahhas and Bill King and David Hammond and {Michael Cummings}, K and Ron Borland and Fong, {Geoffrey T} and O{\textquoteright}Connor, {Richard J.} and Goniewicz, {Maciej Lukasz}",

year = "2021",

month = apr,

day = "12",

language = "English",

journal = "Tobacco Control",

issn = "0964-4563",

publisher = "BMJ Publishing Group",

}

McNeill, A, Fix, BV, Leigh, N, Palumbo, M, Hitchman, S, Nahhas, G, King, B, Hammond, D, Michael Cummings, K, Borland, R, Fong, GT, O’Connor, RJ & Goniewicz, ML 2021, 'Characterization of vaping liquids used in vaping devices across four countries: Results from an analysis of selected vaping liquids reported by users in the 2016 ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey', Tobacco Control.

TY - JOUR

T1 - Characterization of vaping liquids used in vaping devices across four countries

T2 - Results from an analysis of selected vaping liquids reported by users in the 2016 ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey

AU - McNeill, Ann

AU - Fix, Brian V

AU - Leigh, Noel

AU - Palumbo, M

AU - Hitchman, Sara

AU - Nahhas, Georges

AU - King, Bill

AU - Hammond, David

AU - Michael Cummings, K

AU - Borland, Ron

AU - Fong, Geoffrey T

AU - O’Connor, Richard J.

AU - Goniewicz, Maciej Lukasz

PY - 2021/4/12

Y1 - 2021/4/12

N2 - OBJECTIVES: This study presents an analysis of vaping products (VPs) purchased in the United States, Canada, England, and Australia and assesses whether differences in regulations were associated with differences in the chemical composition of the VPs. METHODS: April-September 2017, a total of 234 VP refill liquids and pre-filled cartridges were purchased in convenience samples of retail locations in each country. Products were chosen from brands and styles most commonly reported by current VP users in the 2016 ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey. All products were tested for nicotine, tobacco-derived nitrosamines (TSNAs), minor tobacco alkaloids, organic acids, and flavouring chemicals. RESULTS: Consistent with the laws in Canada and Australia at the time of product purchase, nicotine was not detected in any of the VPs (n=10 in Canada; n=15 in Australia). US liquids (n=54) had a mean nicotine concentration of 16.2 mg/ml, (range=0.0-58.6), and English liquids (n=166) had a mean concentration of 11.9 mg/ml [ (range=0.0-31.2) F(3,244)=12.32, p<0.001]. About 5% of English samples exceeded the United Kingdom’s 20 mg/mL nicotine limit. Substantial country differences were observed in levels of tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), with the US being higher than elsewhere. Of all products tested, 18.8% contained at least one organic acid. Liquids purchased in England contained far more identifiable flavoring chemicals than those in the other countries. CONCLUSIONS: VP composition, particularly with respect to nicotine and flavoring, varies by country, likely reflecting both marketplace preferences and country-specific regulations. There are differences between nicotine levels claimed on the package and actual levels, particularly in England.

AB - OBJECTIVES: This study presents an analysis of vaping products (VPs) purchased in the United States, Canada, England, and Australia and assesses whether differences in regulations were associated with differences in the chemical composition of the VPs. METHODS: April-September 2017, a total of 234 VP refill liquids and pre-filled cartridges were purchased in convenience samples of retail locations in each country. Products were chosen from brands and styles most commonly reported by current VP users in the 2016 ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey. All products were tested for nicotine, tobacco-derived nitrosamines (TSNAs), minor tobacco alkaloids, organic acids, and flavouring chemicals. RESULTS: Consistent with the laws in Canada and Australia at the time of product purchase, nicotine was not detected in any of the VPs (n=10 in Canada; n=15 in Australia). US liquids (n=54) had a mean nicotine concentration of 16.2 mg/ml, (range=0.0-58.6), and English liquids (n=166) had a mean concentration of 11.9 mg/ml [ (range=0.0-31.2) F(3,244)=12.32, p<0.001]. About 5% of English samples exceeded the United Kingdom’s 20 mg/mL nicotine limit. Substantial country differences were observed in levels of tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), with the US being higher than elsewhere. Of all products tested, 18.8% contained at least one organic acid. Liquids purchased in England contained far more identifiable flavoring chemicals than those in the other countries. CONCLUSIONS: VP composition, particularly with respect to nicotine and flavoring, varies by country, likely reflecting both marketplace preferences and country-specific regulations. There are differences between nicotine levels claimed on the package and actual levels, particularly in England.

KW - electronic nicotine delivery devices

KW - nicotine

KW - public policy

M3 - Article

SN - 0964-4563

JO - Tobacco Control

JF - Tobacco Control

ER -