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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under President Biden is facing intense scrutiny for what critics have described as ineffective regulation of tobacco and nicotine, allegedly caving to political pressure to ban vapes and e-cigarettes as potential alternatives to traditional smoking while simultaneously allowing Chinese products to flood the U.S. market.
The FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) is charged with regulating the manufacture, distribution and marketing of tobacco products. However, the CTP has been under fire for its approach to vapes, e-cigarettes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).
While the FDA is cracking down on ENDS, it’s also allowing illicit and unregulated products to flood the market — including from China.
The FDA has sent hundreds of warning letters to companies marketing illegal e-cigarettes containing tobacco-derived nicotine, but it’s unclear whether additional enforcement actions were taken. Reports have highlighted how vape companies regularly flout the FDA’s orders and make, stock and sell illicit goods that can be seen at countless smoke shops and online retailers that aren’t approved by the FDA.
Commissioner of the FDA Dr. Robert Califf testifies during a Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing on Capitol Hill, Sept. 14, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
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Many of these products were made in China. Indeed, at least 20 brands continue to sell China-made disposable devices with kid-friendly flavors such as “peach blueberry candy” and “pineapple strawnana” at liquor stores, smoke shops and convenience stores across the U.S., according to Reuters.
Former FDA chief Scott Gottlieb is one prominent voice who’s spotlighted the problem.
“Synthetic nicotine is being used in products like Puff Bar, that are manufactured in China and other nations, and imported into the…
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