Using CORESTA Recommended Method No. 60, Determination of 1,2-Propylene Glycol and Glycerol in Tobacco and Tobacco Products by Gas Chromatography, as a starting point, a method was developed and validated at Essentra Scientific Services for routine use in the determination of Propylene Glycol, Glycerol, Triethylene Glycol, Triacetin, Menthol, and Eugenol in tobacco and tobacco products. This method was then submitted to and accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to ISO 17025.

Subsequently, with the increase in use of and the interest in the performance of these products, this method has been modified to incorporate electronic cigarette liquid and electronic cigarette vapour. As Ethylene Glycol and Diethylene Glycol have been identified as impurities of interest in electronic cigarette vapour, these have also been included in the suite of compounds determined.

This paper will present results from the method development, validation and also highlights problems associated in the transfer from Helium to Hydrogen as a carrier gas with GC-MSD and the routes taken to overcome them.