E-cigarettes, also known as vapes, have gained popularity in recent years. These battery-operated devices heat liquid containing nicotine and produce an inhalable aerosol. However, the creative sales and marketing plans of manufacturers, which have been criticized for targeting young people, have played a significant role in their popularity. E-cigarettes also come in various colors and attractive flavors, which further increase their appeal. Additionally, social media campaigns featuring popular influencers have also increased their popularity among young people.
E-cigarette manufacturers add artificial sweeteners to improve the taste of their products and enhance their palatability to consumers. While supplementing sugar substitutes into e-cigarettes can shape the behavioral effects of users, some experts have raised concerns about the toxicological effects of an unexpected intake of artificial sweeteners. The current U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) regulations do not require e-cigarette manufacturers to disclose artificial sweeteners to consumers, questioning the necessity for stricter regulations in this area.
These circumstances make it highly likely that many e-cigarette users remain unaware of their consumption of significant amounts of artificial sweeteners and that this unregulated modification plays a substantial role in increasing use among young people. To address these concerns, a team of researchers conducted a study to determine the amount of neotame, a zero calorie artificial sweetener similar to aspartame, is found in e-cigarettes. A recent publication in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) discusses their findings.
The researchers consulted the 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey to identify 11 popular brands of disposable e-cigarettes. In addition, the study included cartridge-based e-cigarettes, zero-nicotine products, JUUL devices, and nicotine analogue–containing products. The researchers used mint candy as a reference product with which to compare neotame levels among the e-cigarettes in the study.
In total, the researchers evaluated 73 e-cigarette devices, finding 57 to contain neotame. The average neotame levels in e-cigarettes appeared to be nearly five times higher than those detected in mint candy. Notably, all devices classified as popular disposable, zero-nicotine, or nicotine analogue e-cigarettes contained neotame. In contrast, the researchers detected no neotame in any FDA-approved cartridges or JUUL devices.
The study provides clear evidence that e-cigarette manufacturers added neotame to popular products sold in the United States last year. Other products introduced before 2021 that have FDA approval or are in the pipeline for FDA review did not contain neotame, indicating that modifications to include artificial sweeteners to e-cigarettes have become increasingly common over the past four years. The authors warn that the unregulated use of artificial sweeteners in e-cigarettes could increase the appeal of these products to young people and impact the potential for addiction. The study highlights the need for experts to review and redefine FDA regulations governing disclosures from e-cigarette manufacturers.
Sources: BMJ Open, Nicotine Tob Res, JAMA,
