Collection: No Nicotine

Most electronic cigarettes (eCIgs) and vape juices are available in a variety of flavors in a range of nicotine strengths from 0 mg/ml to astoundingly high levels of 56 mg/ml. These e-liquids and eCigs are marketed online with bright and colorful images and dispensed in similarly colorful bottles. It is quite evident that these are designed to appeal to teens. The numerous sweet flavored varieties are also attractive to younger children.

Many of the brands which produce “nicotine-free” devices advertise themselves as an alternative to traditional combustible cigarettes as well as a cessation product. For instance, Novus, which brands itself as a tobacco free, nicotine free, all natural alternative to traditional cigarettes, promotes itself with the following tagline: “When you Crave a smoke….but not the nicotine… Novus twigs satisfy. Try the NOVUS System! A new approach to going “Cold Turkey.”

Other ads suggest that the nicotine-free devices are healthier than traditional combustible products. An ad for Phantom Smoke has a scantily dressed woman, sitting provocatively on a red wheelchair. The slogan accompanying the ad says, “No Nicotine No Tar No Tobacco.” Interestingly, the way in which the woman’s leg is positioned across the wheelchair also creates the word “NO.”

While the no-nicotine eCigs are healthier than traditional cigarettes or the nicotine containing eCigs, public health advocates are concerned that vaping these products could lead to youth initiation. In addition, a recent study found that even some of the solutions labeled “nicotine-free” contained trace amounts of the addictive substance.1

1. Goniewicz ML, Kuma T, Gawron M, Knysak J, Kosmider L (2012) Nicotine Levels in Electronic Cigarettes. Nicotine Tob Res Apr 22.