Survey shows many disposable vapes in the UK exceed nicotine limits
According to Better Retailing, nearly all leading disposable vape brands on the UK market produced by companies outside the major tobacco manufacturers exceed nicotine limits, citing BAT test data shared by sources. In a letter seen by Better Retailing an
According to Better Retailing, nearly all major disposable e-cigarette brands produced by non-major tobacco manufacturers in the UK exceed nicotine limits, citing shared BAT test data.
In a letter sent to wholesalers seen by Better Retailing, BAT stated that it had commissioned an independent accredited laboratory to test Elf Bar 600 products purchased from supermarkets and independent retailers between September 6, 2021, and March 7, 2023.
Reports indicate that the nicotine content in the tested products, which contained 2 mL of nicotine e-liquid, increased from the UK legal limit of 2.76 mL to 3.88 mL, with an average overflow of 58%.
The report states that tests conducted on Lost Mary, Found Mary, IVG Bar, Klik Klak, SKE Crystal, Smok Mbar Pro, and Solo disposable e-cigarettes also showed illegal levels of e-liquid.
By revenue and volume, these brands account for nearly all disposable e-cigarette sales in independent stores.
Senior wholesale sources welcomed BAT's efforts to "clean up" the disposable e-cigarette market but also questioned the claims made, stating they would wait for independent testing and regulatory guidance before taking action. Sources noted that if regulators take action against its competitors, BAT could see a significant increase in its market share in the disposable e-cigarette market.
BAT stated that the test results have been shared with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
