A groundbreaking new study published in JAMA in 2025 reveals the widespread presence of the artificial sweetener neotame in popular disposable e-cigarettes available across the United States. This discovery comes amid growing concerns about the chemical constituents of vaping products, especially those marketed as nicotine-free or containing synthetic nicotine analogues such as 6-methylnicotine. The study highlights not only the ubiquity of neotame in these products but also raises important questions about the implications of inhaling such intensely sweet compounds.
Neotame is a synthetic sweetener renowned for its extraordinary sweetness potency; it is approximately 7,000 to 13,000 times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar) and 35 to 65 times sweeter than aspartame, a widely used sugar substitute. This remarkable sweetness intensity allows manufacturers to add minute quantities to consumer products to achieve a desired flavor profile without contributing calories or residual sweetness. Previously, neotame’s usage had primarily been restricted to food and beverage sweetening, with limited data regarding its inhalation exposure or inclusion in vaping liquids.
The recent analytical work underpinning this study involved rigorous chemical assays of numerous market-leading disposable vape devices, with findings consistently revealing neotame as a common additive. The detection extended across devices labeled as containing no nicotine and those advertising the presence of 6-methylnicotine, a synthetic nicotine analogue structurally related to nicotine but not naturally derived from tobacco. This raises substantial concerns because it suggests that the sensory appeal of these products is heavily modulated by additives far stronger than standard sweeteners, potentially altering user behavior and appeal.
Unlike nicotine, which has been extensively studied for its addictive properties and health impacts, neotame’s inhalation profile remains largely uncharacterized. While it is approved by regulatory agencies for ingestion, the consequences of inhaling neotame residues, which may undergo pyrolysis or chemical transformation at the temperatures typical of e-cigarette operation, have not been comprehensively investigated. The presence of neotame in aerosolized vapor could introduce unknown risks, particularly for the respiratory tract and systemic exposure.
This study comes at a crucial time when the popularity of disposable e-cigarettes continues to surge, especially among younger demographics. These products often promote flavor variety and sweetness as major selling points, potentially masking the harshness of other chemical irritants or toxicants. The addition of a sweetener as potent as neotame could contribute to increased user initiation and persistence, thereby amplifying public health concerns related to vaping.
Moreover, the discovery that neotame is present in products without nicotine or containing synthetic nicotine raises regulatory challenges. It blurs the lines between nicotine delivery devices and flavored inhalants, potentially complicating existing frameworks designed to control tobacco and nicotine exposure. This finding could spark calls for stricter scrutiny and labeling requirements for e-cigarette constituents, encompassing artificial sweeteners and other flavor modifiers.
From a biochemical perspective, neotame’s intense sweetness derives from its interaction with human sweet taste receptors, particularly the T1R2/T1R3 heterodimer G-protein-coupled receptors on the tongue. However, it is unknown how these compounds engage with the gustatory system when vaporized and inhaled, or how they might affect chemosensory pathways in the respiratory mucosa, a frontier ripe for further exploration.
The toxicological implications of inhaled neotame are equally unknown. While ingestion involves metabolic processing primarily in the gastrointestinal tract and liver, inhalation delivers compounds directly to the lungs, where local absorption and bioactivation could yield different toxicodynamic outcomes. The temperature-driven breakdown products of neotame in e-cigarette aerosols, as well as potential interactions with other components such as propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and flavor chemicals, remain to be elucidated.
This study, led by Dr. Sven E. Jordt of Duke University, sets a precedent for more comprehensive chemical characterization of e-cigarette vapor contents beyond nicotine and known irritants. It underlines the necessity for multidisciplinary research involving chemistry, toxicology, clinical medicine, and regulatory science to understand the full spectrum of health impacts from vaping popular consumer products.
Additionally, the market dynamics surrounding disposable vaping products suggest that sweeteners like neotame may be leveraged strategically to attract users by enhancing palatability and masking undesirable tastes. This could inadvertently promote higher levels of use or deeper inhalation, further entrenching addiction pathways, especially among adolescents and young adults.
Public health practitioners and regulatory bodies should heed these findings to implement better monitoring of flavor additives and artificial sweeteners in vaping devices. Targeted studies assessing the respiratory effects, addiction potential, and long-term outcomes of neotame inhalation are urgently needed to inform policy and harm reduction strategies.
In conclusion, the revelation of neotame’s ubiquity across disposable e-cigarettes sold in the U.S. in 2024 adds a new dimension to our understanding of vaping product composition. It illuminates the complexities of additive use in these devices beyond nicotine and underscores the urgent need to broaden the scope of chemical and health assessments related to e-cigarette use. Continued vigilance and robust science will be crucial in navigating the evolving landscape of vaping and its implications for public health.
Subject of Research: Chemical composition of disposable e-cigarettes with a focus on artificial sweetener neotame presence.
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References: DOI reference (doi:10.1001/jama.2025.7398)
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Keywords: Sugars, Smoke, United States population, Tobacco, Marketing, Advertising
