After an investigation spurred by a segment on the consumer affairs television program Fair Go, the electronic cigarette regulatory agency has discovered that some electronic cigarette products contain excessive amounts of nicotine.
Authorities are still reviewing the cooperation of manufacturers and importers of 1,800 additional electronic cigarette products to determine their legality for sale. The regulatory agency has reviewed over 8,000 products that have already been notified for registration.
Matthew Burgess, the manager of New Zealand’s electronic cigarette regulatory agency, has reported that no problems have been found in the majority of the products that were reviewed. However, in some cases, information provided by manufacturers or importers indicated that these products may contain prohibited substances or exceed the legal limit for nicotine salts. As a result of this review, the company has issued a notice to withdraw 340 electronic cigarette products, rendering them illegal for sale in New Zealand. A list of these products will be posted soon on the Ministry of Health’s website.
Up to 1800 other electronic cigarette products are still under review. Authorities are working with the companies that manufacture or sell them and will provide them with more information before the end of next week.
Fair Go has commenced an investigation into the illegal sale of electronic cigarettes to underage customers, and has uncovered that a mysterious 14-year-old shopper without identification was able to purchase an electronic cigarette at the counter.
Since then, Fair Go has been investigating the confusing labeling and nicotine concentrations of electronic cigarettes.
Some manufacturers and importers appear to have been selling e-cigarettes that contain nicotine levels exceeding the legally permitted range by over 80%.
Supporters of electronic cigarettes believe that they provide a smoking-like experience and consider this to be crucial for smokers who are attempting to quit.
Advocates for tighter controls on e-cigarettes say that the nicotine concentration in these products is too strong, which can encourage addiction, especially among young e-cigarette users.
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