Nicotine Warning

Why am I being warned about potential exposure to nicotine?

Nicotine is on the https://www.p65warnings.ca.gov/about/frequently-asked-questions list because it can cause birth defects or other https://www.p65warnings.ca.gov/glossary#Reproductive_Harm.

Exposure https://www.p65warnings.ca.gov/glossary#Exposure to nicotine during pregnancy may affect the baby’s development.

Proposition 65 requires businesses to determine if they must provide a warning about exposure to listed chemicals https://www.p65warnings.ca.gov/chemicals

Definition: Reproductive Harm occurs when a chemical interferes with the ability to produce normal, healthy offspring. This includes effects on the female and male reproductive systems, and effects on the developing embryo, fetus, or child, resulting from exposure during pregnancy. Under Proposition 65, "reproductive toxicity" includes "developmental toxicity," "female reproductive toxicity," and "male reproductive toxicity".Definition: Coming into contact with a substance, for example by swallowing, breathing, or touching the skin or eyes.Definition: Reproductive Harm occurs when a chemical interferes with the ability to produce normal, healthy offspring. This includes effects on the female and male reproductive systems, and effects on the developing embryo, fetus, or child, resulting from exposure during pregnancy. Under Proposition 65, "reproductive toxicity" includes "developmental toxicity," "female reproductive toxicity," and "male reproductive toxicity".Definition: Coming into contact with a substance, for example by swallowing, breathing, or touching the skin or eyes.

What is nicotine?

• Nicotine is an addictive chemical compound that is formed naturally in tobacco and some other plants. It is used in a wide variety of tobacco products, and some pharmaceuticals. 

• Nicotine can be found in:
  • Cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, hand-rolled cigarettes (such as bidis) and clove cigarettes (kreteks).
  • Tobacco smoke.
  • Chewing tobacco, snuff, and tobacco products that are dissolved in the mouth (such as orbs, sticks, strips, and lozenges).
  • Electronic or e-cigarettes, e-cigars, e-pipes, and other vaping devices, and refills for these devices (known as e-liquids, e-juice or vape juice).
  • Vapor from vaping devices.
  • Many nicotine-replacement products designed to help quit tobacco use (such as patches, gels, inhalers, gum, lozenges and sprays).

How does exposure to nicotine occur?

• During pregnancy, nicotine passes from mother to baby.

 How can I reduce my exposure to nicotine?

• Do not use tobacco products. 
• Avoid breathing air containing tobacco smoke or vapor that contains nicotine.
• Do not allow children to use tobacco products or spend time in places where tobacco products are being used.
• If you use tobacco products, do your best to quit.  In the meantime, do not use these products near other people.  If you must smoke or vape, do so outdoors. 
• Choose venues that are free of tobacco products.  In California, the use of tobacco products in public places, restaurants, bars, state-regulated gambling venues and most workplaces is not allowed.
• Establish smoke-free and nicotine-free rules for your home and car.
• Ask others not to use tobacco products near you and your family.
• Avoid direct contact with the contents of vaping device refills that contain nicotine.

 For more information:

General Nicotine Fact Sheets and Resources

• US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
  US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Tobacco Use and Pregnancy: The Office makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the absolute accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of linked web sites and expressly disclaims liability for errors and omissions in the contents of linked web sites. Navigating to another web site also subjects the user to the privacy policy of the new site.

• National Institute on Health (NIH), National Institute on Drug Abuse

Tobacco/Nicotine, Smoking and Pregnancy What are the Risks?: The Office makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the absolute accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of linked web sites and expressly disclaims liability for errors and omissions in the contents of linked web sites. Navigating to another web site also subjects the user to the privacy policy of the new site.

Proposition 65

• California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA)
  Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA)

Proposition 65: https://www.p65warnings.ca.gov/about/frequently-asked-questions

Proposition 65: Chemical List  https://www.p65warnings.ca.gov/chemicals