Study Warns of Sweetener Neotame in Popular Flavored E-Cigarettes

A new scientific study has found that a majority of popular flavored e-cigarettes contain neotame, an artificial sweetener approximately 13,000 times sweeter than sugar. Researchers from Yale University School of Medicine and Duke University analyzed 73 flavored e-cigarette products and detected neotame in 57 of them.

Companies reportedly use neotame due to its thermal stability compared to other sweeteners. However, the study emphasizes that the effects of heating and inhaling neotame through e-cigarettes are not yet fully understood and require further investigation. Hanno Erythropol, the study’s lead researcher, cautioned, “Eating a chemical is fundamentally different from inhaling it. Many compounds are safe to eat but dangerous when inhaled.”

The research team also referenced a 2023 study in Frontiers in Nutrition suggesting that ingested neotame (found in foods like cakes and soft drinks) may negatively impact gut health. These warnings arise amidst the increasing popularity of e-smoking among young people, largely attributed to appealing flavors.

In a related concern, a previous scientific report from last April highlighted that e-cigarettes could potentially cause “popcorn lung” (bronchiolitis obliterans), a rare, incurable condition that blocks bronchial tubes and leads to severe respiratory symptoms. These findings underscore the need for more research into the safety of inhaled e-cigarette ingredients.