A Draconian Laws
It’s clear that candy and dessert flavors are within the crosshairs of well being authorities. Lawmakers and well being specialists argue that such flavors attraction strongly to younger folks. That is the place taken by French authorities, who, on the EU stage, have joined the camp of Member States in favor of banning flavors.
The instance of the Netherlands is maybe probably the most hanging, and it might foreshadow an especially restrictive regulatory framework:
- a ban on flavors, with a single exception granted for tobacco-flavored liquids;
- solely 16 flavoring substances allowed, compiled in a so-called constructive listing.
To be able to stop younger folks and non-smokers from turning to e-cigarettes, the Netherlands has thus proposed a strict limitation of obtainable flavors. Likewise, they prohibit some other flavoring substance not listed within the desk under.
Based on the authors, “the target of Dutch laws is to authorize solely liquids with a tobacco style, which made it potential to permit substances that odor like tobacco, even when their description additionally comprises candy or fruity attributes. Candy and fruity flavors apart from tobacco had been excluded with the intention to cut back the attractiveness of e-liquid flavors for younger folks. Among the many remaining flavoring substances which might be neither candy nor tobacco-like, solely these related to tobacco aroma or current in tobacco smoke are included within the proposed listing. The listing subsequently contains flavorings which have a tobacco aroma and people that don’t, however which might be neither candy nor fruity, whereas nonetheless being naturally a part of tobacco aroma or current in tobacco smoke.”
Sensitizing, Allergenic Substances, Extremely Poisonous to the Respiratory Tract, and Even Categorized as CMR
Intrigued by this seemingly pragmatic but deceptive strategy, Antoine Piccirelli, R&D director of Végétol® liquids, and his crew examined this so-called constructive listing with the intention to consider its organoleptic relevance (style, odor), its useful potential (compatibility with e-liquid formulation), in addition to its security. Their flavorist tried to work with the 16 chosen substances, whereas their toxicology knowledgeable took a better take a look at the dangers posed by these molecules.
Their investigation revealed some hanging outcomes:
- among the many chosen substances, there was an entire absence of pyrazines, that are well-known and extensively utilized in e-liquids to carry roasted notes;
- it was unattainable for the flavorist to formulate a “vapeable” liquid, because the accessible flavors had been far faraway from tobacco or some other style and scent appreciated by most vapers;
- from a toxicological standpoint, the listing contained a number of sensitizing, allergenic substances, and above all, compounds extremely poisonous to the respiratory tract, some even labeled as CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic).
The highway to hell is paved with good intentions. Clearly, the Dutch “specialists” didn’t seek the advice of skilled flavorists or toxicology specialists—each of whom will likely be important for establishing a rigorous regulatory framework that permits for managed innovation.
¹ Lowering attractiveness of e-liquids: proposal for a restrictive listing of tobacco-related flavourings. Pennings J.L.A. et al., Tob Management, 2023; 0:1–7. doi:10.1136/tc-2022-057764.
