Market Survey of Disposable E-Cigarette Nicotine Content and E-liquid Volume

Inaccurate labels on some e-cigarette products have prompted calls for routine testing to monitor product label integrity. The objective of this study was to compare label statements of commercial disposable/non-chargeable e-cigarette products for nicotine concentration and e-liquid volume with analytically verified levels. Commercial e-cigarette samples were analyzed for nicotine concentration (N=51), e-liquid volume and total nicotine content (N=39). Twenty-three of the 51 samples analyzed for nicotine deviated from their label statements by more than ±10%. Deviations ranged from -50.1% to +13.9%. Thirty of the 39 samples analyzed for e-liquid volume deviated from their label statements by more than ±10%. Deviations ranged from -62.1% to +13.3%. Only one brand listed total nicotine on the label. In thirty-one of the 39 samples, calculated total nicotine amount in e-liquid deviated from the amounts calculated from the label metrics by more than ±10%. Deviations ranged from -66.8% to -1.43%. These findings underscore the need for regulatory enforcement of manufacturing quality control and product labeling practices to optimize the harm reduction potential and consumer experience associated with the use of e-cigarette products.