Zero-Nicotine Energy Sticks Sold Online, Experts Say They Fall Under E-Cigarettes

On November 1, 2019, the National Tobacco Monopoly Bureau and the State Administration for Market Regulation jointly issued a notice titled "Further Protecting Minors from the Harm of E-Cigarettes" (hereinafter referred to as the "Notice"), urging e-commerce platforms to promptly close e-cigarette shops and remove e-cigarette products from their listings.

In an instant, e-commerce platforms removed e-cigarettes. Is it really "smoke-free online" now, or has it "revived" again?
  The screenshot shows the sale of vapor energy sticks on e-commerce platforms.
"Reappearing with a new look"


When searching directly for "e-cigarettes" on platforms like Taobao, JD, and Pinduoduo, it shows "Sorry, no related products found." However, when changing the search term to "vapor sticks" or "vapor energy sticks," several platforms display products similar to e-cigarettes, priced under 100 yuan, with various flavor options.

However, some merchants claim that vapor sticks are not e-cigarettes. Is this truly different, or is it just a "disguise" to evade regulation?

When reporters inquired with several store customer service representatives about the difference between vapor sticks and e-cigarettes, the customer service did not provide a clear answer, only emphasizing that they do not contain nicotine or tar and are harmless.

It is worth noting that phrases like "0 tar, can relieve cravings," "nicotine-free, suitable for smokers trying to quit," and "can help quit smoking" were also selling points for many e-cigarettes.

The ingredient list attached to the vapor stick product detail page shows that it contains glycerin, propylene glycol, and flavoring agents, which are the main components of e-cigarette liquids.

Zhang Jianshu, president of the Beijing Smoking Control Association, told reporters that this falls under the category of e-cigarettes. "Because e-cigarettes include both nicotine delivery systems and non-nicotine delivery systems."

"Additionally, while merchants claim not to have added nicotine, there is a possibility, but we have no way to prove what ingredients are added. Our country currently does not have a quality certification standard for e-cigarette products," Zhang Jianshu stated.

From product reviews, it can also be seen that many consumers are purchasing them as e-cigarettes, describing them with terms like "large vapor" and "good taste."
  The image shows consumer reviews in the product evaluation section.
"Vapor energy sticks are a conceptual product that requires medical proof from institutions. Currently, there is no product with effective medical validity; they are just traditional e-cigarettes with a new name and a bit of embellishment," commented a netizen.

Minors can also easily purchase


The 2019 survey results from the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention show that the smoking rate among middle school students has significantly decreased over the past five years, but the use of e-cigarettes has significantly increased. Meanwhile, the smoking rate among high school students is much higher than that of middle school students, and the smoking control situation in vocational schools is even more concerning. Currently, the number of people aged 15 and above using e-cigarettes in China has reached 10 million, primarily among young people aged 15 to 24, with adolescents being the main consumers of e-cigarettes.

"Adolescents generally lack a correct understanding of e-cigarettes, harboring curiosity and certain misconceptions. Moreover, due to their immature organ systems, adolescents are more sensitive to harmful substances in e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes can affect adolescents' brain function and growth, which is detrimental to their healthy development," stated the Shanghai Pudong Disease Control Center.

In recent years, regulatory authorities have repeatedly issued announcements to protect minors from the harm of e-cigarettes. However, currently, after the "rebranding," minors can still easily purchase them online.

Investigations revealed that although some stores use small print to indicate that minors are prohibited from purchasing, there are no preventive measures or review mechanisms in place to stop minors from making purchases; they can pay directly.

It is worth noting that some merchants even add coffee bean extracts, promoting them with the gimmick of "refreshing and driving away drowsiness," making it even easier to entice young people to buy.
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Data image: At the first Beijing e-cigarette exhibition, people are experiencing e-cigarettes. Photo by Jin Shuo, China News Network.

Is nicotine-free really safe and harmless?


Many people are concerned about whether these nicotine-free e-cigarettes are truly as "safe and harmless" as merchants claim, or if they are suspected of false advertising.

In this regard, Zhang Jianshu believes that even if vapor sticks do not contain nicotine, they include chemical components like propylene glycol and glycerin, which are harmful to the human body, and some even contain heavy metals, affecting consumer health, especially that of adolescents.

"Some ingredients that merchants claim are food-grade do not mean they can be vaporized. Inhaling them into the lungs and absorbing them through the digestive tract are two different things," Zhang Jianshu added.

The aforementioned notice from the two departments also clearly states that some e-cigarette companies randomly add various additives to enhance the flavor and color of e-cigarettes, posing serious health risks to consumers, especially minors.

Vapor sticks containing propylene glycol, glycerin, and other components can also lead to environmental pollution issues.

The Shanghai Pudong Disease Control Center pointed out that the aerosol generated by heating and vaporization increases the concentration of propylene glycol, glycerin, fine particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the air. These substances are new sources of environmental pollution, and when the concentration of this aerosol reaches a certain level, it can irritate the respiratory tract, causing inflammatory reactions and triggering diseases such as pharyngitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
  Data image: E-cigarette e-liquid. Photo by Jin Shuo, China News Network.

How to regulate the vast e-cigarette market?


As people's living standards improve, the impact of smoking on health is receiving increasing attention. E-cigarettes are marketed as a substitute for traditional cigarettes, creating a healthy and trendy image, and have developed rapidly in recent years.

According to data from Qichacha, after 2013, the number of companies related to e-cigarettes grew rapidly. In 2015, 11,000 new e-cigarette-related companies were added, 18,000 in 2017, and 30,000 in 2019, a year-on-year increase of 30%.

Currently, there are 144,000 companies related to e-cigarettes in operation or existing in China. Shandong, Guangdong, and Jiangsu provinces rank the top three in terms of registered companies, with Shandong having 26,000 companies in the lead. Hebei, Henan, Anhui, Zhejiang, Shaanxi, Sichuan, and Hubei are also among the top ten.

The e-cigarette industry is mixed, with products frequently "rebranding" and evading bans. How can this vast market be regulated?

A recent report from the World Health Organization recommends that e-cigarette companies provide medical-grade health statements on packaging; increase the difficulty and cost for smokers to switch from e-cigarettes to traditional cigarettes; and through standardized regulations, minimize health risks for e-cigarette users: clarify e-liquid content and nicotine concentration, prohibit the addition of carcinogens, mutagens, and other harmful substances; use child-proof containers for pod packaging, and clearly indicate the addictive nature of the product on the packaging; incorporate usage tracking features to monitor health or safety incidents in real-time. (End)