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Funding to allow University of Otago to test e-cigarette flavours

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Mon, 31 May 2021, 2:14PM
(Photo / File)
(Photo / File)

Funding to allow University of Otago to test e-cigarette flavours

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Mon, 31 May 2021, 2:14PM

A research project is underway to make sure vaping companies aren't just blowing smoke, about the safety of flavoured products.

Money from the Health Research Council means University of Otago food scientists can develop ways to test the flavours added to e-cigarette liquids.

Lead researcher Dr Graham Eyres says information around what's in the liquids is a little murky.

"A key example is a compound called diacetyl, which has a been implicated to cause irreversible lung disease

"There's a large proportion of e-cigarettes that contain diacetyl in concentrations higher than safety limits."

He says flavourings added to e-cigarettes are regulated under the Food Standards Code, which doesn't consider the risks of inhaling the flavours.

"In New Zealand we simply do not know the level of the flavours and compounds of concern, and this represents a significant safety risk to the safety of New Zealanders."

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