US FDA and CBP seized illegal e-cigarettes in an effort to stop youth vaping. Photo credit: Freepik
The US Food and Drug Administration, in collaboration with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), announced the seizure of approximately 1.4 million units of unauthorized e-cigarette products. The estimated retail value of the seized products totals more than US$18 million. The seizures were part of a three-day joint operation, which resulted in the seizure of 41 shipments containing illegal e-cigarettes.
FDA and CBP conducted the joint operation at a cargo examination site at Los Angeles International Airport, where the team examined incoming shipments for potentially violative items. Once the merchandise is forfeited to the government, it will be disposed of in accordance with the law; in the case of unauthorized new tobacco products, that generally means they will be destroyed.
Upon examining shipments, all of which originated in China, the team found various brands of illegal flavored disposable e-cigarette products. According to recently released 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) data, disposable e-cigarettes are the most commonly used e-cigarette type among US youth and nearly 9 out of 10 current e-cigarette users (89.4%) used flavored e-cigarettes, with fruit flavors being the most popular, followed by candy, desserts, or other sweets; mint; and menthol.
To date, FDA has authorized 23 tobacco-flavored e-cigarette products and devices that may be lawfully sold in the US. The distribution and/or sale of unauthorized new tobacco products is subject to compliance and enforcement action. As of December 2023, FDA has issued over 650 warning letters to firms for manufacturing, selling, and/or distributing new tobacco products that lacked marketing authorization from FDA, including flavored disposable e-cigarettes and brands popular among youth. FDA has also filed civil money penalty complaints against 38 e-cigarette manufacturers and 67 retailers, and 7 complaints for permanent injunctions against firms marketing illegal e-cigarettes.