As vaping continues to gain popularity worldwide, governments and health organizations have been increasingly concerned about the potential health risks associated with e-cigarettes and other vaping products. To protect public health, many countries have implemented strict regulations on vaping, including the requirement for warning labels on vape products. Here, we will explore vape warning labels in different countries.
1. United States
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required vape manufacturers to include warning labels on all e-cigarette products. These labels include health warnings: “WARNING: This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is additive chemical.”
“Keep this product out of reach of children and pets.” The warning label must appear directly on the packaging and be clearly visible.
Below are some instruction of creating warning label:
A. Warning label need to be clearly visible in the two main display areas on the packaging;
B. The area of warning labels should occupy 30% or more of the individual packaging display area;
C. Warning Font size: at least 12;
D. The warning must be clear and easy to read in Helvetica bold or Arial bold. The warning can be black content white background or white content with black background;
E. Capital font and punctuation shall comply with the requirements of 1143.3 (a) (1);
F. The warning should be in the center area of the warning area.
Advertising and promotional purposes are prohibited.
US requires California Proposition 65 warning: “WARNING: This product can expose you to nicotine, a chemical knowledge to the state of California to cause cancer. For more information, go to: ww.P65warnings. ca.gov/product.”
2. UK
The warning label must contain health warning information “This product contains nicotine which is a highly additive substance.”
Vape company can no longer promote the benefits of vape, which also include the prohibition of comparing e-cigarettes with regular tobacco.
Celebrities are also prohibited from endorsing vape, and free samples are also prohibited from promotional activities.
3. Japan
The new provision issued by the Japanese government is to require changing the mandatory warning statements and descriptions of smoking harmful to health on all tobacco&vape products sold in Japan. At the same time, the warning is also applicable to heated but non combustible tobacco products.
The display area of the warning statement will expand from 30% to at least 50% of the front area.
The content of nicotine and tar must be marked on the side of the packaging.
4. Other countries
Canada:
Canada has issued a notice requiring vape with concentrations of 0.1 mg/ml or higher of nicotine to display a toxicity warning on the product label;
All vapes has to display a list of ingredients on the product label.
Australia:
Australia has some of the strictest regulations when it comes to vaping products and warning labels. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) classifies nicotine as a prescription medication, making it illegal to sell nicotine-containing vape products without a prescription. Warning labels in Australia are comprehensive and graphic, featuring images of diseased organs and explicit health warnings. These labels aim to deter potential users and reinforce the potential health risks associated with vaping.
South Korea:
The South Korean government has proposed multiple provision to strengthen restriction of heated non combustible tobacco products, including increasing taxes and requiring health warning labels.
Philippines:
The Philippines Goverment has approved regulation of Control the Manufacturing, Import, Sales, Distribution, Use, Advertising, Promotion, and Sponsorship of Electronic Nicotine and Non Nicotine E-cigarette and Heating Tobacco Products which has detail information regarding packaging, ingredients, health warnings, the allowable nicotine containing electronic cigarette oil, the strength of electronic cigarette oil, compliance with applicable electrical standards, and applicable battery industry standards.
European Union:
In the EU, vaping regulations are harmonized across member states. Vape warning labels in the EU must include health warnings such as “This product contains nicotine, which is a highly addictive substance” and “This product is not recommended for use by non-smokers.” These warnings are designed to ensure consistency in information provided to consumers across the EU and to discourage non-smokers and youth from taking up vaping.