Nicotine alternatives used in vapes being launched in the US and abroad, such as 6-methyl nicotine, may be more potent and addictive than nicotine itself. However, the scientific data remains incomplete, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and independent researchers.
The synthetic substances - which have a chemical structure similar to that of nicotine - are not subject to US tobacco and vaping regulations that are designed to control traditional nicotine, a highly addictive drug.
That means manufacturers can sell vapes containing synthetic nicotine analogs such as 6-methyl nicotine in the United States without seeking authorization from the FDA - a process that can be costly, time-consuming, and often unsuccessful.
Big tobacco firms like Altria Group MO.N and British American Tobacco BATS.L have already lost substantial US sales to an influx of disposable vapes containing traditional nicotine that are being illegally sold without FDA authorization.
Altria, the maker of Marlboro cigarettes in the United States, highlighted the emerging use of 6-methyl nicotine in vapes and other smoking alternatives in a May 9 letter to the FDA, according to a copy of the correspondence posted on its website.
FDA urged to regulate nicotine analogs
It urged the agency to evaluate the compounds and establish its authority over them, warning that they posed a "new threat" to sector regulation.
"The introduction and growth of chemicals intended to imitate the effects of nicotine, if left unchecked, could present unknown risks to US consumers and undermine FDA's authority," the letter said.
It cited SPREE BAR, a vape launched in October by Charlie's Holdings Inc CHUC.N that uses 6-methyl nicotine.
The FDA does not comment on its correspondence with individual firms.
In response to Reuters' questions about 6-methyl nicotine and other nicotine alternatives, the FDA said in a statement: "Although more research is needed, some emerging data show these nicotine analogs may be more potent than nicotine – which is already highly addictive, can alter adolescent brain development and have long-term effects on youth's attention, learning, and memory."
Traditional nicotine found in many vapes and pouches is extracted from tobacco leaves. 6-methyl nicotine, in contrast, is made entirely in the lab using chemicals.
The FDA said it was considering using such synthetic compounds from an "agency-wide perspective" and would use its resources to protect youth from products that may harm their health. In addition to tobacco products, the FDA regulates drugs, foods, cosmetics, and more to ensure safety and efficacy.
"The FDA is a data-driven agency, and we're reviewing the available data to inform potential actions in this space," it said in response to Reuters' questions.
Three academic researchers told the news agency that current studies of 6-methyl nicotine are too limited to draw definite conclusions on the health impact or to what degree it is addictive.
Imad Damaj, a professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at Virginia Commonwealth University, said his research showed that 6-methyl nicotine may be more potent than nicotine. Still, more extensive tests were needed to determine its impact on humans.
The researchers said the limitations of existing research included some papers being industry-funded. In contrast, others focused on the short-term impact on animals or cells and could not understand 6-methyl nicotine's effects on human bodies.
Charlie's Holdings calls the 6-methyl nicotine solution used in SPREE BAR Metatine. SPREE BAR's website says Metatine "may have a toxicity profile similar to nicotine."
SPREE BAR promises users 6,000 puffs from each device and offers fruity flavors, including "blue razz ice" and "creamy melon," according to its website.
The FDA has yet to approve any flavored vape using traditional nicotine for sale in the United States, saying companies have not been able to show that the health benefits they offer to smokers outweigh the known risks to young people, who the flavors may more attract.
Charlie's Holdings co-founder Ryan Stump told Reuters that the company only targets adults, adding that flavors played an essential role in its mission to help smokers quit cigarettes.
Stump said Charlie's Holdings respects and abides by laws in every market. He acknowledged that more research is needed on 6-methyl nicotine and added that the company dilutes it in its products.
Targeting international markets
Anes Saleh sells SPREE BAR in his vape shop in Denver, Colorado, called Sultan Smoke. He said he has some customers who only buy Spree Bar instead of a nicotine vape, and he hasn't had any negative feedback on the product.
"The only... protest I would hear about people not wanting to try this is that they don't know what Metatine is or does," he said.
Stump said that Charlie's Holdings is working on new varieties of SPREE BAR and new products using 6-methyl nicotine. It will launch SPREE BAR internationally this year, but he declined to say where.
The company buys the 6-methyl nicotine solution used in SPREE BAR from another US firm, Novel Compounds, according to Novel Compounds' founder Samuel Benaim.
Novel Compounds imports 6-methyl nicotine from overseas and alters it to make it easier for manufacturers like Charlie's Holdings to use in their products. It sells this solution under the trade name imotine.
Benaim said tests commissioned by Novel Compounds have found 6-methyl nicotine to be no more harmful than nicotine. However, he also noted that more research was needed into the chemical.
Benaim added that Novel Compounds had received legal advice that its product is not classified as a tobacco product or drug in the United States. He said the company is committed to legal compliance.
More potent than nicotine?
Sven Jordt, a professor at Duke University who has authored papers on products like SPREE BAR, said 6-methyl nicotine could be more addictive and toxic than its traditional cousin.
"Do we want to have such a chemical as a recreational product available to anyone?" he asked. "That's really questionable."
Neither Jordt nor Damaj, a professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, has received funding from tobacco or vape makers.
In the United States, Novel Compounds also sells its 6-methyl nicotine solution worldwide, including in the United Kingdom, Indonesia, India, and Japan.
Another company, Aroma King, sells 6-methyl nicotine in the United Kingdom in pouches, which users insert under the lip to get a buzz. The pouches are sold in cans decorated with graphics of gorillas in suits and sunglasses.
It said in a February blog post that its 6-methyl nicotine products were "less toxic," "less harmful," and "less addictive" than regular nicotine products.
In a statement to Reuters, Aroma King cited existing research, its toxicology and other tests, and its supplier, which classifies 6-methyl nicotine as less toxic under the European Union's Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures (CLP) Regulation.
Aroma King said its supplier self-classified 6-methyl nicotine. It declined to say who supplies it with the chemical.
Four Chinese companies hold patents in China related to the production of 6-methyl nicotine, including Zinwi Biotech, a company that makes the liquid used in vapes.
Zinwi Biotech confirmed it is researching 6-methyl nicotine but has not answered further questions, including whether it has sold any 6-methyl nicotine. Reuters was unable to find contact details for the other firms.