What is included with your online e-cigarette order? An analysis of e-cigarette shipping, product and packaging features

Abstract

Background The electronic cigarette industry is growing, with youth using e-cigarettes at higher rates than they are using cigarettes, and retail and online sales projected to reach $10 billion in 2017. Minimal regulation of the production and marketing of e-cigarettes exists to date, which has allowed companies to promote unsupported claims. We assessed the shipping, product features and packaging of a wide variety of e-cigarettes purchased online by adults and youth. Methods The most popular internet e-cigarette vendors were identified from a larger study of internet tobacco vendors. Between August 2013 and June 2014, adults made 56 purchase attempts from online vendors, and youth made 98 attempts. Packages received were assessed for exterior and internal packaging features, including product information, health warnings and additional materials. Results We analysed a total of 125 orders featuring 86 unique brands of e-cigarettes. The contents were rarely indicated on package exteriors. Product information came with just 60% of orders and just 38.4% included an instruction manual. Only 44.6% of products included a health warning, and some had unsupported claims, such as lack of secondhand smoke exposure. Additionally, some products were leaking e-liquid and battery fluid on arrival. Conclusions A large variety of e-cigarette products are manufactured and marketed to consumers. Many products do not include instructions for use, and unsupported claims are being presented to consumers. Effective federal regulation of the manufacturing, packaging, product information and health claims surrounding e-cigarettes is necessary to ensure consumers are presented with accurate e-cigarette use information.

Electronic cigarette use in New South Wales, Australia: reasons for use, place of purchase and use in enclosed and outdoor places

“…In light of the place‐of‐purchase results of this study, there may be challenges in ensuring e‐cigarettes meet quality standards and are not marketed as an evidence‐based method of quitting smoking. A recent study of 125 online orders of e‐cigarettes found many did not have instructions for use, product information or health warnings, and some had unsupported claims and/or were leaking e‐liquid or battery fluids 32 . Discussions about how to regulate e‐cigarettes should therefore consider regulating the online sale, advertising and promotion of e‐cigarettes.…”

Electronic cigarettes—A review of the physiological health effects

“…Finally, manufacturing could also be improved in terms of the design (e.g., limitation of the power output) and quality of EC devices. Poor workmanship in terms of the quality of the batteries and heating elements can increase the concentration of toxic metals found in aerosolant (Kong et al 2016;Loewenstein and Middlekauff 2017). Overall, ECs deliver a wide array of aerosolants, ranging from some known irritants to carcinogens.…”

“…Many e-liquid manufacturers do not report health warnings, chemical sources, manufacturing process, exhaustive ingredient lists, or concentrations (Kong et al 2016). ECs are capable of delivering nicotine in their vapour, with the amount of nicotine varying based on the solution, power of the device, or smoking topography (e.g., puff duration) (Trtchounian et al 2010;Spindle et al 2015;Talih et al 2015).…”

Reducing the dangers of e‐cigarettes for children: opportunities for regulation and consumer education

“…9 One US study identified worrying deficiencies in the online supply of e-liquids, including inadequate systems for verifying the age of buyers, the lack of instructions about how to use or store the products, and delivered products that were leaky. 10 ENDS e-liquids contribute to both unintentional and intentional (suicidal) nicotine poisonings, 11 as discussed by Wylie and colleagues in this issue. 12 Those most at risk of unintentional poisoning are children under 5 years of age, particularly following ingestion of fluids from e-liquid bottles.…”

“…The Australian vapour product retail market in 2017 was estimated be worth $AU50.1 million, also primarily open systems ($AU46.8 million); 79% of retail purchases were made online . One US study identified worrying deficiencies in the online supply of e‐liquids, including inadequate systems for verifying the age of buyers, the lack of instructions about how to use or store the products, and delivered products that were leaky …”