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Is your e-cigarette TPD 2 compliant?

TPD 2 stands for "Tobacco Products Directive" - which is behind this spongy English term is nothing more than a second EU-wide tobacco regulation, which now also affects the handling of e-cigarettes and liquids in addition to tobacco products. Since 20 May 2017 this regulation and the new regulations will influence the behavior of the distributors as well as the vapers themselves soon.

Most of the provisions apply to trade

The trade with the electronic cigarette will be most affected by the new bill designs. Above all, it is about advertising as well as the launch of new products. Specifically, the law provides that no advertising for e-cigarettes or liquids may be made. This applies to print media, television, radio, as well as the World Wide Web. However, it is still permissible to receive reports from bloggers, YouTubern or private individuals in online forums, provided that they are not commercialized, for example, through sponsorship

New regulations also apply to new products.Clearomizers, accumulators and E-liquid must be registered six months before the market launch. These are then checked before they are released for sale. This registration period also applies to liquids. This regulation is intended to ensure increased safety of the ingredients.

Smaller E-Liquid vials with less nicotine

In the future, nicotine-containing E-Liquid can only be sold in vials with a maximum filling volume of 10 ml. The larger 30 ml E-Liquid bottles are thus removed. In addition, the bottles must be provided with a child safety device in the future, as well as break-proof and leak-proof. Since most bottles already meet these criteria anyway, there will be no big difference. In addition, the maximum limit for nicotine content is redefined. The highest possible nicotine content for liquid is now 20 mg / ml. Furthermore, each vial must be sold in a pack with additional information, for example, in an outer package with instruction leaflet. Two-thirds of the packaging must be labeled with warning signs for the active substance nicotine. For devices which are operated with refill capsules, the maximum liquid quantity is limited to 2 ml.

Self-mixer is influenced by new law

While for vapers, who buy their liquid ready in the shop, does not change much, except that the vials are smaller, self-mixers are already more likely to face changes by TPD2. In the future, even nicotine-containing bases should only be present in small vials with a maximum of 10 ml filling capacity, with a maximum nicotine content of 20 mg / ml. The bases without nicotine should continue to be sold in large containers. Since all flavors are now approved as food flavors, these can no longer be restricted. So the aromas will not change.

Existing products not affected

Anyone who bought an clearomizer or accumulator before the introduction of TPD 2 does not have to worry. These are subject to a so-called inventory protection, which means that they are not affected by the new regulation and may continue to be produced and sold in their current form. Also the 6 months registration is not applicable.

Age verification also in the net

Even before TPD2, the sale of e-cigarettes as well as the liquids - irrespective of the nicotine content - was permitted exclusively to adults. Traders must still have an identity card, but online shops will also be forced to carry out an age verification. This can be done, for example, by checking the ID card number. However, verification of age is also possible via other methods, for example the comparison with the invoice and reporting address.

The TPD-compliant e-cigarette

For the battery and the battery carrier does not change even after TPD2. But the tank is affected by some new regulations: - The tank must only have a maximum capacity of 2 ml. - The packaging must be provided with a warning label on the substance nicotine. This does not refer however to the tank itself, but to the E-Liquid used. The clearomizer must also undergo emission tests.

What changes for vapers

For cozy vapers, who buy their liquids in the shop of their trust and vaping steadily, nothing changes. However, the smaller containers, where liquors are sold, are, however, forced to buy liquids more frequently. In addition, one will have to wait for new devices in Ireland longer, since these have only by the registration. A solution has to be found for self-mixers. One possibility would be to mix the 0 mg base, which can still be sold in larger threads, with 20 mg "shots" to the desired nicotine strength. The self-mixing with the new laws becomes more expensive than before, but it is still cheaper than buying ready-made liquids. "We recommend that our customers rely on more powerful equipment, since these, due to the greater steam development, also give more nicotine," says Peter Stone, one of the pioneers of the still young industry with the Online shop . "So you can achieve a lower nicotine dosage, the same effect as before, and continue to benefit from the enormous saving compared to smoking cigarettes."

The TPD2 law is annoying for the trade as well as for the vapers themselves. However, the fact that there are no real prohibitions for the vapers is, however, not restricted in Ireland. Many possibilities are not taken up by the consumers, since most of the paragraphs refer exclusively to the dealer.