In light of ongoing scrutiny of nicotine, which has been thoroughly researched, chemical manufacturers are now racing to find alternative substances. Products containing nicotine analogs are increasingly appearing in the offerings of e-liquid manufacturers and leading producers of heated tobacco device cartridges.
Nicotine analogs
To circumvent public health regulations on vaping products, some tobacco companies have begun replacing nicotine in e-cigarettes with chemically similar compounds that exhibit similar properties. In a research letter published on August 7 in JAMA, authors from Duke University and Yale University pointed out that the quantity of these chemicals, known as nicotine analogs, is not accurately disclosed on packaging.
“Vaping products containing nicotine are subject to federal regulations prohibiting sales to individuals under 21,” said study co-author Sairam V. Jabba, D.V.M., Ph.D., from Duke University School of Medicine.
“Our analysis of some vaping products containing these analogs, sold in the U.S., revealed significant discrepancies between the labeled and actual contents. Manufacturers likely aim to avoid FDA tobacco regulations this way.”
“Nicotine analogs, however, are not currently regulated by the FDA and have not been studied for their health effects,” Jabba added.
nicotine analogue analysis
One substance, known as 6-methyl-nicotine, has been found to be significantly more potent than nicotine in activating brain nicotinic receptors and more toxic in animal studies. Another substance, called nicotinamide, is marketed as affecting the same receptors in the brain as nicotine, though evidence suggests it does not bind to these receptors.
Jabba and his team, including co-author Sven Eric Jordt, Ph.D., analyzed e-cigarettes sold under the brand name Spree Bar, available in at least nine flavors and labeled as containing 5% 6-methyl-nicotine. The findings showed that the actual amount of the substance was about 88% less than declared.
These e-cigarettes also contained an artificial sweetener that is up to 13,000 times sweeter than table sugar, as well as synthetic chemicals that mimic the effects of menthol.
Another brand—sold under the names Nixotine, Nixodine, Nixamide, and Nic-Safe—contained the nicotine analog nicotinamide, also in significantly lower amounts than labeled, with undisclosed amounts of 6-methyl-nicotine.
“These products appear to be designed to bypass regulations intended to protect people from the harmful effects of smoking and tobacco use,” said Jordt. “We do not know how these substances behave when heated and inhaled. These are questions that need to be answered before such products are allowed on the market.”
In Poland, products containing nicotinamide and 6-methyl-nicotine are expected to appear on the market soon. Due to the lack of regulation in Polish law, they will be sold as nicotine-free products. Is this the path the Safer Nicotine Products industry should follow?
source: https://medicalxpress.com/news
