Federal agencies have seized millions of dollars of electronic cigarettes entering U.S. ports, with thousands still reportedly entering the country from China.
Over 11,500 unique vaping products can currently be found in U.S. stores, up from 9,000 in June. While vaping among teens and adolescents dropped last year, a government survey reported in November that 1 in 10 still used e-cigarettes.
The FDA reported turning away 148 containers of tobacco products from China in November alone, most of them vaping products. By the end of the year, FDA data showed 374 shipments had been turned away in total, for 2023 – over twice what was rejected in 2022.
Only a small number of e-cigarettes have been authorized by the FDA, with several other products such as Juul under review, and the rest largely considered illegal. Since 2022, the FDA has issued bans on the products of several companies, including Esco Bars and China-based companies Fume and Heaven Gifts, the latter known for disposable nicotine products such as Elf Bar and Lost Mary.
According to the FDA following a July operation, some of the products seized were intentionally mislabeled as other products when shipped into the country, such as toys or shoes.
“Those committing illegal acts don’t advertise their crimes, and those trying to import illegal tobacco products into the United States are no different,” FDA’s tobacco director, Brian King, wrote to AP.
