The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) of Ireland conducted an inspection and discovered that some vapes sold on the market, which were labeled as “nontoxic”, actually contained nicotine. These vapes misled consumers and might unknowingly lead to addiction. The HSE has seized the related products and issued a warning. Experts warn that the addictive nature of nicotine is underestimated, and the impact of the chemicals in vapes on health is still unclear.
Key Points:
- Misleading consumers: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspection found that some vapes marketed as “nontoxic” in the Irish market were detected to contain nicotine, misleading consumers.
- Health risks: Experts warn that the addictive nature of nicotine is underestimated, and the chemicals in vapes may have long-term effects on health.
- Regulatory actions: The HSE has seized the related products and issued an alert through the RAPEX system, requesting that retailers cease selling them.
- Product cases: The involved products include McKesse MK Bar, JNR Crystal Pro Max and Crystal Bling 6000.
- Expert call: A Professor from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland called for more aggressive measures to address the issue of vapes.
Irish “non-tobacco” vapes were found to contain nicotine
According to a report by The Journal on July 31, certain vapes labeled as “nontoxic” that were sold in stores across Ireland were found to actually contain nicotine after being inspected and tested by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
This not only misled those who purchased these vapes, but health experts also pointed out that there is a risk of developing an addiction to vapes without realizing it.
These vapes were seized by the HSE’s national tobacco control office and were tested in a national laboratory.
Involving products of the McKesse, JNR and Crystal brands
Since 2024, HSE has inspected three stores and discovered three types of vapes that claim to be “nicotine-free” – McKesse MK Bar. JNR Crystal Pro Max and Crystal Bling 6000.
These vapes were seized during the inspection in June 2025. RAPEX alert was issued for McKesse MK Bar.
RAPEX is the EU’s rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products, and it requires all retailers to stop selling such products.
The JNR Crystal Pro Max was labeled as “0% nicotine”, but when the label was removed, it was discovered that the original label on the packaging read “2% nicotine”, as stated in the HSE regulations.
Product cases
It is not clear who put this label on the vapes, but the HSE letter stated that the consumers being misled is “very worrying”.
Some versions of Crystal Bling 6000 have the words “No Nicotine” printed on their outer packaging, but the inner packaging indicates the presence of nicotine. Laboratory tests have confirmed that this vape contains nicotine.
But do these vapes pose a health risk?
Professor Donal O’Shea, the head of the Chemistry Department at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), stated that the public still severely underestimates the addictive nature of nicotine.
- “It will only become a problem when you try to quit.”
He said.
Nicotine is highly addictive. Just like any other drug, over time, you will develop a tolerance to it, and you will need an increasing amount of intake to satisfy the demand it creates.
O’Shea also pointed out that nicotine has been proven to cause memory and attention problems and to affect brain development. This is also a reason for concern regarding the popularity of vapes among young people.
Expert call
But this is not the only health issue.
Over the past 18 months, the Irish health authorities have seized thousands of vapes that violated regulations.
The most common problem with these vapes is that they contain more nicotine than the legal limit. Moreover, the nicotine concentration in some of these cigarettes is also significantly higher than the permitted level.
Using vapes with excessive e-liquid usage or higher nicotine concentrations will also accelerate nicotine addiction.
O’Shea stated that vapes also contain various types, different quantities and concentrations of chemical substances, and the effects of these substances are largely unknown.
- “When you are 20 years old, of course, you think you are invincible. But unfortunately, by the time you reach your 40s, the effects start to show. We already know this from smoking and pollution.”
O’Shea said.
He went on to say that vapes are “a device that concentrates pollution in a small unit and inhales it directly into the lungs.”
