/>iDesperate to shatter Juul’s recently-acquired, 70% dominance over the e-cigarette industry, competitors are increasing nicotine levels in their e-cigarette liquid pods. That does not bode well for the new generation of e-cigarette nicotine addicts and has generated what Stanford researchers have coined, “a nicotine arms race.”
Juul launched its e-cigarette officially in 2015 and has rapidly taken over the market, due to a number of factors. Juul e-cigarettes present a subtle, USB-style design, with a patented “nicotine salts” delivery system that promises to deliver high levels of nicotine without a harsh inhaling experience. Equally effective is their clever advertising (See Stanford analysis of Juul advertising since inception).
Juul lists its liquid pods nicotine strength as 3-5% as compared to other companies 1-3% nicotine strength (per Stanford). Stanford researches equated a 5% Juul pod to greater than 40 packs of traditional cigarettes. See below for Juul Pods nicotine levels:
The Juul Pods
| Virginia Tobacco | 5%, 3% Nicotine Strengths |
| Mint | 5%, 3% Nicotine Strengths |
| Classic Tobacco | 5% Nicotine Strength |
| Mango | 5% Nicotine Strength |
| Cucumber | 5% Nicotine Strength |
| Creme | 5% Nicotine Strength |
| Menthol | 5% Nicotine Strength |
| Fruit | 5% Nicotine Strength |
The formula is simple: the higher the nicotine, the higher the number of nicotine addicts, the higher the number of users. It’s the same historic formula used by big tobacco companies.
The high level of nicotine in the Juul fluids has sparked competitors to change their formulas and up nicotine levels in order to compete. Because of this rush to up nicotine levels to the Juul standard, Stanford researches warned of four risks that are cause for public concern.
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The threat that a new generation of youth will become addicted to nicotine.
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Increase in childhood poisoning when purchased in large quantities (nicotine is a poison).
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Lack of standardization on how to label nicotine content leading to confusion as to the amount of nicotine in the products.
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Public health threat due to the “addictiveness and toxicity” of the e-cigarette products.
Without FDA intervention to curtail the rise of high levels of nicotine in the e-cigarette industry, more and more young people will be exposed and addicted. This can lead to numerous health problems over time—just like in the traditional tobacco industry.
