HSE issues vapes alert on six e-cigarettes falsely labelled as nicotine-free
The six e-cigarettes were found to contain nicotine at concentrations as high as 30 mg/ml following analysis by the State Laboratory — far above the legal concentration level for nicotine vapes.
Anyone who bought one of the six vapes listed below can return them to the shop where they were bought. Vape shops and retailers have been asked to stop selling them.
They are:
McKesse MK Bar 7000. Sub-brand (flavour): Blueberry
McKesse MK Bar 7000. Sub-brand (flavour): Blackcurrant Mango
McKesse MK Bar 7000. Sub-brand (flavour): Blueberry Pear
Bang Box 18000 Puffs. Sub-brand (flavour): Watermelon Ice
Bang Box 18000 Puffs. Sub-brand (flavour): Strawberry Watermelon
Bang Box 18000 Puffs. Sub-brand (flavour): Blueberry Ice
HSE Principal Environmental Health Officer, Margaret Ruddy, warned: 'We are continuing to identify non-compliant products on the Irish market.'
The Bang Box Watermelon Ice.
Analysis showed in these cases that the nicotine concentration ranged from 18.8 mg/ml to 30 mg/ml. The legal concentration level for nicotine-containing vapes is 20mg/ml.
'Retailers should be checking both the products themselves and their suppliers' details before selling them on to consumers,' she said. 'Otherwise, they may not only be putting the consumer at risk, they may be breaking the law and making it more difficult to trace and seek the recall and withdrawal of dangerous batches of such products.'
Anyone who became ill after using these e-cigarettes should contact their GP. They can also notify the HSE by email at info.tpd@hse.ie.
The HSE has also alerted shops which may have sold these vapes to display a recall notice. Shops are advised: 'By law, you are responsible for non-compliant products found in your shop.'
Regulations
In Ireland it is already illegal to sell vapes to under-18s. Proposals for further regulations are now being drafted with the Attorney General, a Department of Health spokeswoman said.
The proposals include a ban on all disposable vapes and a ban on devices resembling toys or games. It would mean a ban on point-of-sale display and advertising of nicotine-inhaling products in most shops.
The legislation is expected to also include restrictions on the colours and imagery used on nicotine-inhaling products and their packaging. It could bring in significant limits on the flavours for sale and requirements for only basic flavour names to be used.
It could lead to only tobacco-flavoured vapes being sold here as is already the case in some European countries. 'The upcoming Public Health (Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill is designed to address the rise in youth use of vapes in Ireland,' the department spokeswoman said.
She also highlighted growing concerns that the decline in use of tobacco products, including cigarettes in Ireland, has slowed. The figures have not really moved since 2019, separate data shows.
'The stalled decline in smoking among adults is of significant concern,' she said. 'Last year, the Oireachtas passed legislation to raise the age of sale for tobacco products to 21 years, as a direct response to this issue.
'The Tobacco Free Ireland policy is also currently under review, to examine what measures need to be taken for Ireland to become tobacco-free.'
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