Ministry warns of vaping product over chemical linked to ‘popcorn lung'
It said Hoopers Vapour, which imports the product for sale in New Zealand, had proactively taken steps to remove the product from the market and had withdrawn its product notification.
'A consumer level recall is currently being undertaken by the notifier and the ministry is assisting with ensuring that these steps are being taken.
'The ministry is concerned that the product has entered the market and has issued a public warning about the Suntree Vanilla Cream vaping substance. As this is an evolving situation the ministry will not comment on the potential for enforcement action.'
The ministry said it had previously prompted notifiers to withdraw products on the basis that they did not meet nicotine labelling claims or had tested above the legal nicotine limit.
Twenty-four products prohibited for sale are listed on the ministry's website.
Vape Free Kids NZ is calling for increased testing after highlighting that only 3% of products are currently tested. Photo / 123rf
The ministry said last year it focused product testing on nicotine concentration and tested 250 products out of the approximately 7000 available for sale.
It said it considered this 'sufficiently robust to provide insight into product compliance'.
'Where non-compliant products are identified the ministry generally works with the notifier to ensure compliance. This may be through removing the product from the market or in some situations taking enforcement action.'
But advocacy group Vape Free Kids NZ has called for the frequency and scope of testing for vape products to be increased.
Co-founder Charyl Robinson said the regular checking and testing undertaken by the ministry only covered around 3% of the overall number of vapes and e-liquids for sale.
'It's entirely a game of chance to know if a dangerous product is being sold possibly to hundreds of people,' she said.
In the case of Suntree Salts – Vanilla Cream, she said that product had been on the market more than 18 months before it was picked up.
'The system relies on the tobacco and vaping industry to honestly declare their products are safe and provide their own testing data when they notify a product for sale.'
– RNZ
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NZ Herald
a day ago
- NZ Herald
Ministry warns of vaping product over chemical linked to ‘popcorn lung'
'When the product was first notified in 2024, information was incorrectly supplied by the notifier (Hoopers Vapour). This information was correctly supplied in 2025, and non-compliance was picked up by the ministry at this time and the notifier informed of the non-compliance,' the ministry said in a statement. It said Hoopers Vapour, which imports the product for sale in New Zealand, had proactively taken steps to remove the product from the market and had withdrawn its product notification. 'A consumer level recall is currently being undertaken by the notifier and the ministry is assisting with ensuring that these steps are being taken. 'The ministry is concerned that the product has entered the market and has issued a public warning about the Suntree Vanilla Cream vaping substance. As this is an evolving situation the ministry will not comment on the potential for enforcement action.' The ministry said it had previously prompted notifiers to withdraw products on the basis that they did not meet nicotine labelling claims or had tested above the legal nicotine limit. Twenty-four products prohibited for sale are listed on the ministry's website. Vape Free Kids NZ is calling for increased testing after highlighting that only 3% of products are currently tested. Photo / 123rf The ministry said last year it focused product testing on nicotine concentration and tested 250 products out of the approximately 7000 available for sale. It said it considered this 'sufficiently robust to provide insight into product compliance'. 'Where non-compliant products are identified the ministry generally works with the notifier to ensure compliance. This may be through removing the product from the market or in some situations taking enforcement action.' But advocacy group Vape Free Kids NZ has called for the frequency and scope of testing for vape products to be increased. Co-founder Charyl Robinson said the regular checking and testing undertaken by the ministry only covered around 3% of the overall number of vapes and e-liquids for sale. 'It's entirely a game of chance to know if a dangerous product is being sold possibly to hundreds of people,' she said. In the case of Suntree Salts – Vanilla Cream, she said that product had been on the market more than 18 months before it was picked up. 'The system relies on the tobacco and vaping industry to honestly declare their products are safe and provide their own testing data when they notify a product for sale.' – RNZ
1News
a day ago
- 1News
Vape product recalled over 'popcorn lung' chemical risk
A vape product has been recalled after a warning was issued from the Ministry of Health. The product, Suntree – Vanilla Cream vape liquid, comes in 30ml bottles and has a nicotine content of 18mg. It contained too much of the chemical diacetyl, which was associated with a lung injury known as popcorn lung, the ministry said. The ministry said Hoopers Vapour Ltd, who had sold the product, was undertaking a consumer level recall to remove the product from its stalls. It was understood around 300 of the product have been sold in the last 17 months. ADVERTISEMENT The ministry said risk of developing lung disease following short term exposure appeared to be low but anyone who developed respiratory symptoms after using the product, or had any other concerns, should contact their healthcare provider. "Anyone who has this product should immediately stop using it," said the Ministry of Health. "Any unused product can be disposed of by returning it to the store where it was purchased or by flushing it down the sink with plenty of cold water." The ministry added the diacetyl content, which had the scientific name of butanedione or butane-2,3-dione, in the fluid was above the allowable limit. "Diacetyl is used as a flavouring compound and is described as having an intense buttery flavour. "Exposure to high level of diacetyl through inhalation has been associated with the inflammatory lung disease bronchiolitis obliterans, commonly known as 'popcorn lung'. Symptoms of popcorn lung include shortness of breath, dry cough, wheeze, and fatigue." In New Zealand, diacetyl is prohibited in high concentrations. The legal limit of the chemical is 22 ppm in vaping products. The ministry said this product had "four times" this amount. ADVERTISEMENT "The diacetyl limit is part of a broader set of safety thresholds for substances in vaping products, which also include limits for formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and various metals. 'Incredibly worrying' - lobby group Vape-Free Kids NZ co-founder Charyl Robinson said it was "incredibly worrying" that the product was allowed to be sold. "There are currently 7000 vaping products available for sale in New Zealand, it's proving near impossible to keep track of what chemicals and additives these products contain and if products out there are actually safe." "Regular checking and testing by the Ministry of Health is only undertaken on less than 3% of the overall number of vapes and e-liquids for sale. Given anyone can mix up some ingredients together in their garage and sell it as e-liquid for people to breathe into their lungs just shows how much of a risk these products can pose." The ministry, in its advisory about Suntree – Vanilla Cream, said: "The regulatory framework under the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990 does not require pre-market testing or approval. "Vaping product manufacturers and importers notify the Ministry about their products and provide information about how their products meet safety standards."
RNZ News
a day ago
- RNZ News
Health Ministry issues first warning about vaping product
A man vaping Photo: AFP/ ANP MAG - Koen van Weel A public warning about a vaping product has been issued by the Ministry of Health for the first time this week. It issued a warning for Suntree Salts - Vanilla Cream 18mg nic (30ml) yesterday, saying it contained too much of a chemical associated with an inflammatory lung disease called 'popcorn lung'. The product - which has four times the allowable limit of the flavour compound diacetyl - is now being recalled. Under the regulatory framework of the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990, pre-market testing or approval of vaping products is not required, with vaping product manufacturers and importers notifying the ministry about their products and providing information about how their products met safety standards. "When the product was first notified in 2024, information was incorrectly supplied by the notifier (Hoopers Vapour Limited). This information was correctly supplied in 2025, and non-compliance was picked up by the ministry at this time and the notifier informed of the non-compliance," the ministry said in a statement. It said Hoopers Vapour Limited, which imports the product for sale in New Zealand, had proactively taken steps to remove the product from the market and had withdrawn its product notification. "A consumer level recall is currently being undertaken by the notifier and the ministry is assisting with ensuring that these steps are being taken." "The ministry is concerned that the product has entered the market and has issued a public warning about the Suntree Vanilla Cream vaping substance. As this is an evolving situation the ministry will not comment on the potential for enforcement action." The ministry said it had previously prompted notifiers to withdraw products on the basis that they did not meet nicotine labelling claims or had tested above the legal nicotine limit. Twenty-four products prohibited for sale are listed on the ministry's website. The ministry said last year it focused product testing on nicotine concentration and tested 250 products out of the approximately 7000 products available for sale. It said it considered this "sufficiently robust to provide insight into product compliance". "Where non-compliant products are identified the ministry generally works with the notifier to ensure compliance. This may be through removing the product from the market or in some situations taking enforcement action." But advocacy group Vape Free Kids NZ has called for the frequency and scope of testing for vape products to be increased. Co-founder Charyl Robinson said the regular checking and testing undertaken by the ministry only covered around three percent of the overall number of vapes and e-liquids for sale. "It's entirely a game of chance to know if a dangerous product is being sold possibly to hundreds of people," she said. In the case of Suntree Salts - Vanilla Cream, she said that product had been on the market omore than 18 months before it was picked up. "The system relies on the tobacco and vaping industry to honestly declare their products are safe and provide their own testing data when they notify a product for sale." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
