We now permit sale of 45mg refills (liquid used in any way, such as in cartos or bottles) on ECF. The previous limit was 36mg for retail sale by ECF registered Suppliers.
The reasons behind this upgrade are threefold:
1. It has become abundantly clear from multiple clinical trials that beginners using mini ecigs ('cigalikes') receive zero or very little nicotine when using average or 'high' strength refills. Blood plasma nicotine levels are either not elevated at all, or elevation is not of significant magnitude. This means minis will fail for many new users, who may revert to smoking. This was first demonstrated by Intelli cig in clinical trials, then by others; it was found that strengths up to 30mg were not efficacious.
A high strength of 45mg is needed to address this problem; and we now know that plasma nic levels can be elevated to a useful level but not one with any significant risk by use of 45mg refills. Experienced users are well-able to self-titrate and have no significant risk from the use of high-strength refills (even in better hardware) - also see #3 below.
2. There is now sufficient history to allow this without undue risk.
3. We have now heard from multiple professors of public health (e.g. Prof Hajek) that over-consumption of nicotine is not dangerous, and that consumers are well-able to self-titrate, and that even with over-consumption there are no risks to health: consumption is stopped, and the effects are quickly normalised.
In general, it is now accepted that nicotine has very little potential for consumer harm in normal use, even when accidents occur.
The reasons behind this upgrade are threefold:
1. It has become abundantly clear from multiple clinical trials that beginners using mini ecigs ('cigalikes') receive zero or very little nicotine when using average or 'high' strength refills. Blood plasma nicotine levels are either not elevated at all, or elevation is not of significant magnitude. This means minis will fail for many new users, who may revert to smoking. This was first demonstrated by Intelli cig in clinical trials, then by others; it was found that strengths up to 30mg were not efficacious.
A high strength of 45mg is needed to address this problem; and we now know that plasma nic levels can be elevated to a useful level but not one with any significant risk by use of 45mg refills. Experienced users are well-able to self-titrate and have no significant risk from the use of high-strength refills (even in better hardware) - also see #3 below.
2. There is now sufficient history to allow this without undue risk.
3. We have now heard from multiple professors of public health (e.g. Prof Hajek) that over-consumption of nicotine is not dangerous, and that consumers are well-able to self-titrate, and that even with over-consumption there are no risks to health: consumption is stopped, and the effects are quickly normalised.
In general, it is now accepted that nicotine has very little potential for consumer harm in normal use, even when accidents occur.
