The cantonal laboratory has issued a sales ban for one out of every two e-cigarettes

The Basel-City cantonal laboratory analysed 32 samples of disposable e-cigarettes and e-liquids, finding that 29 of them showed at least one violation. A sales ban was immediately imposed on 21 products. The Swiss Association for Tobacco Control is demanding that further measures be taken without delay.

In total, the Basel-City cantonal laboratory found 107 violations in 29 of the 32 samples analysed. Many of them exceeded the maximum permitted volume of liquid. Some also posed particular health risks due to excessively high lead content in the solder of the electronic components, excessively high nicotine levels, or the presence of substances toxic to reproduction (harmful to fertility).

The laboratory also found in 25 cases a high proportion of coolant that was not labelled according to regulations. The lack of information regarding the inhalation toxicity (respiratory tract damage) of these liquids is particularly concerning.

It was also found that the environmental protection measures were not working: in particular, the upfront recycling fee had not been paid by a third of the importers (11 samples).

This once again confirms the disastrous findings of studies conducted in recent years on e-cigarettes. Since their introduction to the market, these products, which are harmful to health and highly addictive, have essentially been tested on our young people. The Swiss Association for Tobacco Control calls on political leaders to finally act quickly and decisively: we demand the swift implementation of the ban on disposable e-cigarettes decided by Parliament, stricter licensing guidelines for other e-cigarettes and e-liquids, as well as more controls and harsher penalties for violations.

For further information: https://media.bs.ch/original_file/05ee449bf3de18f43396b28fff1125f3427b0c43/2025-e-liquids.pdf