Debate Continues Over Legality and Benefits of E-cigarettes

Sep.05.2022
Debate Continues Over Legality and Benefits of E-cigarettes
The debate continues on whether e-cigarette bans will make them equivalent to traditional cigarettes, as courts continue to discuss their legality.

As the legal use of electronic cigarettes continues to be a topic of debate in court, the discussion over whether a ban would simply transform e-cigarettes into regular cigarettes also persists.


Following the Federal Appeals Court's decision in June to block the FDA's ban, Juul is now able to continue selling its electronic cigarettes. However, in order to remain on the market, the company must prove that its products benefit public health. Essentially, this means proving that adult smokers who use the e-cigarettes may quit or reduce smoking, while youth are unlikely to become addicted to them.


The federal appeals court for the third time rejected a petition from an Illinois-based electronic cigarette manufacturer seeking a review of the FDA's marketing refusal order. A panel of three judges in the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the FDA, dismissing the appeal from Gripum LLC.


Elizabeth Hicks, a US affairs analyst at Consumer Choice Center, warns that banning flavors in electronic cigarettes and tobacco products could lead consumers to revert back to smoking combustible tobacco: "Around 12% of adults reported smoking in 2020, but we can certainly expect that number to increase.


Hicks stated that with more and more individuals smoking, taxpayers in Illinois will ultimately have to foot the bill.


She said this will ultimately lead to an increase in healthcare costs related to smoking, which already costs taxpayers in Illinois over $1.9 billion annually.


Meredith Berkman is working with parents who are against the use of e-cigarettes. They are calling for the removal of all e-cigarettes from the market. According to Berkman, her organization is receiving help from an Illinois senator.


For years, Dick Durbin has been battling the tobacco industry, calling on the FDA to remove these products from the market," Berkman said.


As schools across the country begin their academic year, the organization Berkman is offering a "Guide to E-cigarette Use in Schools" to help parents identify signs of e-cigarette use and provide resources for those who need help quitting.


Disclaimer: 1. This article is compiled from third-party sources and is only meant for industry exchange and learning. 2. The views expressed in this article do not represent the views of 2FIRSTS, and 2FIRSTS is unable to confirm the authenticity and accuracy of the article's content. The compilation of this article is only intended for industry exchange and research. 3. Due to limited compilation capabilities, the compiled article may not fully reflect the original text, and the original text should be relied upon. 4. Regarding any domestic, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and foreign statements and positions, 2FIRSTS is fully aligned with the Chinese government. 5. The copyright of the compiled information belongs to the original media and author. If there is any infringement, please contact us for removal.


This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

Iowa Targets Smoking Products With Tax Plan: Cigarettes to National Average, 15% Tax on Vapes and Consumable Hemp
Iowa Targets Smoking Products With Tax Plan: Cigarettes to National Average, 15% Tax on Vapes and Consumable Hemp
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is proposing higher taxes on cigarettes and new taxes on vaping and consumable hemp products, arguing tobacco use is a key driver of lung cancer. The proposal comes as University of Iowa researchers release preliminary findings suggesting Iowa’s late-stage lung cancer burden is higher—and improving more slowly—than in neighboring states.
Feb.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai
PMI Faces Setback in India: Global Regulatory Fragmentation Complicates Its Smoke-Free Transition
PMI Faces Setback in India: Global Regulatory Fragmentation Complicates Its Smoke-Free Transition
India has reaffirmed its 2019 ban on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco devices, effectively blocking Philip Morris International (PMI) from launching IQOS in the country despite years of lobbying. Together with Taiwan, China’s conditional opening of heated tobacco products, and Japan’s planned 2026 excise tax hikes, these moves highlight increasingly divergent national regulatory pathways—an external uncertainty shaping PMI’s smoke-free growth trajectory.
Feb.12
China’s E-cigarette Exports Reach $1.694 Billion in Jan–Feb 2026; U.S., UK, Germany Lead, Japan Rises to Fourth
China’s E-cigarette Exports Reach $1.694 Billion in Jan–Feb 2026; U.S., UK, Germany Lead, Japan Rises to Fourth
China Customs Administration released e-cigarette export data for January and February 2025, showing varied monthly performances in 2026.In January, the export value was $940 million, a decrease of 6.2% compared to January 2025's $1.02 billion. In February, the export value was $754 million, a 51.2% increase compared to February 2025's $498 million.
Mar.20 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Puerto Rico House Files P.C. 1070 to Ban Flavored Vaping Product Sales to Under-21s
Puerto Rico House Files P.C. 1070 to Ban Flavored Vaping Product Sales to Under-21s
According to a statement from the Puerto Rico House of Representatives, House Speaker Carlos Méndez and Rep. Pedro Julio Santiago announced the filing of House Bill 1070 (P.C. 1070), which would prohibit sales to people under 21 of vaping devices, liquids, or cartridges featuring a flavor and/or aroma other than nicotine.
Jan.29 by 2FIRSTS.ai
UK South East Seized 3.1M Illegal Vapes Since 2021 as Crackdown Intensifies
UK South East Seized 3.1M Illegal Vapes Since 2021 as Crackdown Intensifies
Illegal vape seizures in the UK South East have risen sharply over the past five years, with 2023 marking the high point. While single-use vapes were banned from sale in June 2025, enforcement teams say disposable products remain in circulation, fueling renewed calls for licensing and stronger enforcement funding.
Jan.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Canadians visiting Mexico warned of stricter penalties for bringing e-cigarettes or vaping devices
Canadians visiting Mexico warned of stricter penalties for bringing e-cigarettes or vaping devices
Canadians traveling to Mexico should avoid packing e-cigarettes or vaping devices, citing Canada’s travel advisory warning that tourists have been banned from bringing such items into Mexico since 2025. The advisory says customs officials could confiscate the items upon arrival and travelers could be fined or detained.
Feb.09 by 2FIRSTS.ai