Nicotine

Why am I being warned about potential exposure to nicotine?

Nicotine is on the Proposition 65 list because it can cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. 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.

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?

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 Fact Sheets and Resources

US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Smoking, Pregnancy, and Babies
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Tobacco, Nicotine, and E-Cigarettes Research Report. What are the risks of smoking during pregnancy?

Proposition 65

California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA)
Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA)
- Proposition 65: Background
- Proposition 65: The List of Chemicals
- Proposition 65: Fact Sheets