RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Labelling of electronic cigarettes: regulations and current practice
JF Tobacco Control
JO Tob Control
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 46
OP 52
DO 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2015-052683
VO 26
IS 1
A1 Federico Buonocore
A1 Ana C N Marques Gomes
A1 Shereen Nabhani-Gebara
A1 Stephen J Barton
A1 Gianpiero Calabrese
YR 2017
UL http://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/26/1/46.abstract
AB Background Over the past decade e-cigarettes have established themselves in the global market. E-cigarettes triggered much interest in relation to their content and efficacy as smoking cessation tools, but less attention has been paid to users and environmental safety warnings and guidance. Several regulations have been introduced to promote their safe handling and disposal. From May 2016, liquids and cartridges will be regulated by European Community Directives (ECDs) 2001/83/EC and 93/42/EEC, or 2014/40/EU if marketed as tobacco-related products. Currently, manufacturers and distributors must abide by the Chemical (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2009 (CHIP) or Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulations (CLP), the latter replacing CHIP in June 2015.Objective In this work, the compliance of marketed e-liquids and e-cigarettes with current European Union and UK legislations is assessed.Results E-liquids and e-cigarettes (21 and 9 brands, respectively) were evaluated. Evidence of non-compliance was found in relation to the CHIP/CLP toxic (13%) and environmental (37%) pictograms, tactile warning (23%), nominal amount of solution (30%), supplier contact telephone number and address (40%). None of the evaluated e-cigarettes displayed information on the correct disposal/recycling of batteries in line with the ECD 2006/66/EC.Conclusions More stringent enforcement of regulations is needed to ensure not only the user's safety and awareness, but also the safeguarding of the environment.