Trading Standards teams tested 76 products sold as ‘nicotine free’ as part of an initiative tracking the sale of illicit vapes and underage sales and found some 13% contained the highly-addictive substance
A Trading Standards probe has revealed that around 13% of vapes sold in the UK as “nicotine-free” actually contain the addictive substance.
The investigation, part of Operation Joseph funded by the Department of Health and Social Care, tested 76 products across the Heart of the South West, Salford, and Berkshire. One in eight of these products were found to have nicotine levels ranging from 0.06 mg/ml to 27.02 mg/ml – equivalent to a pack of 20 cigarettes.
All 10 products that tested positive for nicotine also breached the legal limit for e-liquid volume, with two flouting both e-liquid and nicotine strength regulations. This means consumers seeking nicotine-free options could inadvertently be maintaining their addiction.
Lord Michael Bichard, National Trading Standards chairman, said: “Nicotine-free vapes can be a useful tool to quit smoking and reduce nicotine dependency, but these findings reveal that people can actually continue to be stuck in a cycle of addiction if sold the highly-addictive substance unknowingly.
“Businesses should be aware vapes falsely claiming to be nicotine free are in circulation and should make sure they are not breaking the law by selling products that are falsely advertised, especially where they are importing goods or acting as the main UK distributor. I urge businesses and consumers to be vigilant and report suspected cases to the Citizens Advice consumer service by calling 0808 223 1133.”
Alex Fry, operations officer for Heart of the South West Trading Standards, said: “We are pleased to have contributed to and helped co-ordinate the sampling of this project. We recognise how important it is for regulators and legislators to have up-to-date intelligence on what products are being supplied to consumers.
“Trading Standards are at the forefront of ensuring products comply with legal requirements and we hope that the findings will provide valuable intelligence, and help shape the future regulation of cigarettes, tobacco and vapes.”
