Important U.S. lawmakers involved in China announced the launch of a new investigation into illegal Chinese e-cigarette manufacturers, which may lead to major changes in e-cigarette regulation

Important U.S. lawmakers involved in China announced the launch of a new investigation into illegal Chinese e-cigarette manufacturers, which may lead to major changes in e-cigarette regulation

On December 2, an important US congressman involved in China announced new measures to combat youth e-cigarette use, including launching an investigation into illegal Chinese e-cigarette manufacturers. Considering the congressman's special status in Sino-US trade and his important role in e-cigarette regulation in the past, US e-cigarette regulation may usher in huge changes.
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[1] This article only discusses e-cigarette regulation and business issues, and all content is only for readers in the global new tobacco industry.

[2] This article does not involve analysis and commentary on any political or diplomatic issues. All content in this article shall not be cited for political or diplomatic purposes.

[3] The remarks and opinions of the relevant persons involved in this article are only for objective information transmission and do not represent the views of 2Firsts. In this article, 2Firsts does not comment on the views of relevant persons in other fields.

[4] The statements on current affairs and diplomacy are subject to official statements.

According to the website of the U.S. House of Representatives, on December 2, 2024, Chicago time, Raja Krishnamoorthi, the minority leader of the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the CCP, discussed new measures to combat youth e-cigarettes with local officials and announced a new investigation into illegal Chinese e-cigarette manufacturers. Some statements and information in the article are worth noting:

About 95% of the world's e-cigarette products are produced in China, and hundreds of products, including the popular Elf Bar, have been sold throughout the United States, although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved 34 tobacco-flavored e-cigarette products (originally "tobacco-flavored e-cigarette products". In fact, the FDA approved four NJOY menthol-flavored e-cigarettes for the first time on June 21, 2024. 2Firsts Note).

The local sheriff in the United States said: "Just like the opioid crisis, these e-cigarette devices containing toxic substances that attract teenagers in the form of candy flavors have become a public health crisis that requires federal resources and solutions."

Congressman Raja Krishnamurthy called on the FDA to take action to remove all illegal e-cigarette products from the shelves.

Congressman Krishnamurthy has been advocating for greater action to regulate e-cigarettes and related products during his time in Congress, including an investigation into JUUL in 2019, which found that the company's advertisements were clearly targeted at teenagers. In addition, he is also the co-chair of the bipartisan "Congressional Group to End the Youth E-cigarette Epidemic."

On the same day, Congressman Raja Krishnamurthy posted a message on his social media X, accusing big tobacco companies and illegal e-cigarette manufacturers of targeting children, and called on the FDA to take action as soon as possible.

Social media of Congressman Raja Krishnamurthy X｜Source: X

 

The harm of e-cigarettes to teenagers and the problem of illegal e-cigarettes have become a hot topic in the United States

The United States has recently increased its attention and regulatory actions on the harm of e-cigarettes to teenagers and the problem of illegal e-cigarettes.

 

In October 2024, the U.S. FDA and the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) jointly seized approximately 3 million unauthorized e-cigarette products with an estimated retail value of US$76 million. This is also the highest amount of money seized by the FDA so far.

 

Also in October, 2Firsts contacted the U.S. FDA about e-cigarette regulatory policies. In its reply to 2Firsts, the FDA emphasized that only 34 e-cigarette products are currently legally sold and provided a complete list. (Click here to view)

 

In November, according to data from a U.S. research institute: From 2019 to 2023, the sales of disposable e-cigarettes increased by more than 500%, and disposable e-cigarettes have become the most common type of device used by young people. As of March 2024, 34 FDA-authorized products accounted for 13.7% of total sales in physical retail stores in the United States;

 

International cooperation on e-cigarette regulation has entered the diplomatic level.

 

According to Xinhua News Agency, the prime ministers of China and Australia met in June 2024 and issued a joint statement. 2Firsts noted that compared with the joint outcome statement of the annual meeting between the Chinese and Australian prime ministers issued on November 7, 2023, this annual meeting specifically mentioned "border law enforcement, strengthening cooperation to combat illegal tobacco and e-cigarette smuggling on the basis of bilateral law enforcement cooperation in areas of common concern to both sides, such as drug control and combating transnational organized crime" for the first time in the joint outcome statement.

 

In addition, according to public media reports, before and after this meeting, relevant regulatory and law enforcement agencies of China and Australia held several high-level meetings. For example, on May 6, 2024, Zhang Jianmin, director of the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, met with Fitzgerald, deputy director of the Australian Border Force.

 

2Firsts will continue to pay attention and bring the latest reports.

 

Cover image source: NBCChicago