British American Tobacco reassures over vaping products

(Sharecast News) - British American Tobacco issued a statement on Monday insisting that its vaping products do not contain vitamin E acetate or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), both of which have been linked to respiratory illnesses associated with vaping.
Responding to a consumer update from the US Food and Drug Administration at the end of last week, the tobacco company said: "Every single ingredient and component in these products has been scrutinised by our toxicologists for their suitability for vaping. Consistent with this, oils containing THC and vitamin E acetate are not, and have never been, added to our vaping products.

"From the FDA's statements we have seen, these tragic events appear to be a new phenomenon linked to liquids that were not sourced from reputable manufacturers and which contained ingredients, including THC and vitamin E acetate, which we do not use."

BAT said it fully supports the FDA's view that vapers should only source their devices and liquids from reputable manufacturers and avoid modifying or adding substances to the products they buy.

The company said it was monitoring the situation in the US and will work closely with all relevant public health authorities around the world.

Following recent reports of respiratory illnesses linked to vaping, some of which have been fatal, the FDA said on Friday that many of the samples tested as part of an ongoing investigation had been identified as containing THC, a component of the marijuana plant and vitamin E acetate, which is present in products such as dietary supplements.

"While the FDA does not have enough data presently to conclude that vitamin E acetate is the cause of the lung injury in these cases, the agency believes it is prudent to avoid inhaling this substance. Because consumers cannot be sure whether any THC vaping products may contain vitamin E acetate, consumers are urged to avoid buying vaping products on the street, and to refrain from using THC oil or modifying/adding any substances to products purchased in stores."

The FDA said that at least one of the associated deaths appears to have been related to illicit THC vaping products.

"In many cases of illness reported by the states, patients have acknowledged recent use of THC-containing vaping products while speaking to healthcare personnel, or in follow-up interviews by health department staff," it said.

At 1500 BST, BAT shares were down 1.7% at 2,882.57p.