THE HSE has issued a major safety alert over four popular e-cigarettes – with bosses warning the public to “stop using these products.”
The seized items all contain illegal amounts of nicotine.
Four e-cigarettes have been issued a warning by the HSE[/caption]
The products contain illegal amounts of nicotine[/caption]
The HSE took to X to warn buyers not to use the products, as they are illegal under Irish law.
The e-cigarettes involved are the following:
- ADADA A8 1200 puff. Sub-brands (flavours): Vanilla Coke
- The Crystal PRO MAX 4000+ puff. Sub-brands (flavours): Watermelon Ice BatchNo. MAX20230407
- Savage Vape. Sub-brands (flavours): Kiwi Passion Fruit Guava 5% Nicotine
- McKesse MK Bar 7000 12ml. Sub-brand (flavour): Lime Mojito 12ml. Batch Number: Exp: 31/12/2023
Test results for the four products showed that the legal nicotine concentration was exceeded, with sample results ranging between 26.9mg/ml and 30mg/ml.
The legal nicotine concentration for electronic cigarettes in Ireland is 20mg/ml.
The HSE said: “Our National Environmental Health Service has issued four safety alert notices regarding e-cigarette products.
“We are asking the public to stop using these products because they contain illegal amounts of nicotine.
“People can return these items to the shop where they were purchased, and we have asked retailers to stop selling them.
“We have also contacted distributors and importers of e-cigarettes and refill containers to inform them of this issue.”
Inhaling too much nicotine, whether from cigarettes or vaping, can lead to nicotine poisoning.
The symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on the amount consumed and the person’s sensitivity to the chemical.
Early signs typically include dizziness, nausea, and headaches as the body starts to react to the excess nicotine.
As poisoning progresses, more troubling symptoms can develop, such as vomiting, abdominal pain, excessive salivation, sweating and rapid heart rate.
In more severe cases, the central nervous system can become overly stimulated, leading to confusion, agitation, and in some cases, seizures – which can be life-threatening.
Dr Maurice Mulcahy Regional Chief Environmental Health Officer said: “Retailers need to make themselves fully aware of their legal obligations and put in place robust and effective supplier controls.
‘Protect the public’
“We recommend retailers satisfy themselves that the products they sell are legally compliant and have been duly notified to the HSE via the European Common Entry Gate system (EU CEG).
“Furthermore, if retailers also bring nicotine inhaling products into Ireland from another country that is outside the European Union, such as the UK, they may by virtue of this fact also be considered an importer.
“Being an importer places additional legal obligations requiring notification of these imported products to the HSE via the EU CEG and making a declaration on the EU CEG that they are responsible for the safety and quality of these products.
“The HSE National Environmental Health Service is increasingly finding non complaint and unsafe products on the Irish market and will continue to use its extensive legal powers to protect the public up to and including product seizure, product destruction and prosecutions.”
