The US e-cigarette market, currently worth $5.5 billion, is witnessing a significant influx of illicit e-cigarettes from China. The popularity of these products, marked by their vibrant colors and enticing flavors, has led to a 60% increase in flavored vape sales over the past three years.
Despite efforts by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to control the situation, there appears to be an enforcement gap. The regulatory body has issued fines targeting a limited number of products sold per store, but these measures have been deemed inadequate in curbing the growing popularity of e-cigarettes.
The FDA's inability to effectively regulate the market has led to increasing demands for stricter control from various groups. Members of Congress, state attorneys general, and even Big Tobacco companies are among those calling for enhanced regulation.
Interestingly, Big Tobacco's involvement in advocating for stricter regulation is perceived as a strategic move to safeguard its market share. This comes as the rise in popularity of e-cigarettes poses a potential threat to their traditional tobacco product sales.
It remains to be seen how the FDA will respond to these calls for more stringent regulation and whether such measures will successfully curb the influx of illicit e-cigarettes into the US market.
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