FDA Files Lawsuit Against Six E-Cigarette Companies for Illegal Operations

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Apr.28.2024
FDA Files Lawsuit Against Six E-Cigarette Companies for Illegal Operations
The U.S. federal government sues six e-cigarette companies, including one in Columbus, for illegal production and sale of nicotine products.

According to a report by AOL on April 27, the US federal government filed a lawsuit on Tuesday (23rd) against six e-cigarette companies (one of which is located in Columbus), accusing them or related individuals of illegally producing and selling electronic nicotine delivery system products.

 

Brian King, director of the Center for Tobacco Products at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), said, "Today's enforcement action represents a significant step by the FDA to prevent tobacco product manufacturers from breaking the law."

 

The lawsuit alleges that these companies have been producing and selling "e-cigarette nicotine delivery systems" without authorization from the FDA. Despite receiving notices requiring FDA authorization, these companies continued to act illegally. One of the Columbus-based companies mentioned in the lawsuit is Vapor Craft LLC, owned by Melissa D. Anderson.

 

Attorney Todd Swanson will represent the US government in court, Judge Clay Land will preside over the case.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Indonesia's Influential Islamic Body MUI Urges Vape Permit Freeze, Raising Uncertainty for 200 Manufacturers
Indonesia's Influential Islamic Body MUI Urges Vape Permit Freeze, Raising Uncertainty for 200 Manufacturers
Indonesia's Ulema Council (MUI) published Fatwa No. 131/2026 on November 9, declaring electronic cigarette use, production and trade haram under Islamic religious rules. The council urged the Industry Ministry to prohibit the issuance of vape industry permits and review licensing policies, while calling on the president and parliament to enact a comprehensive ban. On November 10, the Constitutional Court heard a challenge to provisions of the 2023 Health Law seeking a prohibition on vape production, importation, distribution and use. The Health Ministry said on November 11 it was studying stronger restrictions, including a possible ban on circulation, while industry association APVI called for tighter oversight rather than a total ban. Indonesia's Industry Ministry previously estimated the sector comprises about 200 companies, Rp31 trillion ($1.7 billion) in cumulative investment and approximately 100,000 supply-chain jobs. No nationwide statutory ban has been enacted.
Regulations
Nov.12
German Tobacco Tax Revenue Falls 10.8% Through August as Tax-Paid Cigarette Volume Drops 12.6%
German Tobacco Tax Revenue Falls 10.8% Through August as Tax-Paid Cigarette Volume Drops 12.6%
Germany collected €9.789 billion in total tobacco tax revenue from January through August 2026, down 10.8% from a year earlier, according to the Federal Ministry of Finance. Germany's tobacco tax base covers not only cigarettes and fine-cut tobacco but also heated tobacco and vaping liquids taxed as tobacco substitutes. The German Association of the Tobacco Industry and Novel Products, or BVTE, citing federal statistical data, said tax-paid cigarette volume fell 12.6% to 40.6 billion sticks. BVTE is using the latest figures to argue against further tax increases planned from 2027 through 2030, while Germany's parliament is scheduled to hold a first reading of the bill on September 24.
Sep.23
AIR Global Starts Debt Refinancing Four Months After Nasdaq Listing With About $400 Million Notes Expected
AIR Global Starts Debt Refinancing Four Months After Nasdaq Listing With About $400 Million Notes Expected
AIR Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of AIR Global, has launched an offering of U.S. dollar-denominated senior unsecured notes, with proceeds primarily intended to repay its existing term loan and revolving credit facility. AIR has not disclosed the final size, maturity or coupon; Refinitiv, citing Moody's, reported an expected issuance of approximately $400 million and a Ba3 rating. AIR had about $412.4 million outstanding under the two bank facilities at June 30 and net debt of $344.8 million. In the first half of 2026, AIR's Al Fakher-led flavored shisha molasses business generated about 99% of company revenue, while New Growth Categories including Crown Switch produced $2.2 million in revenue and remained loss-making on an adjusted EBITDA basis.
Sep.23
Japan's Heated Tobacco Use Rises From 0.1% to 14.9% Over a Decade as Growth Extends Beyond Cigarette Switching
Japan's Heated Tobacco Use Rises From 0.1% to 14.9% Over a Decade as Growth Extends Beyond Cigarette Switching
A decade-long study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific found that heated tobacco product use in Japan increased from 0.1% in 2015 to 14.9% in 2025, although growth slowed after 2018. Switching from conventional cigarettes remained an important source of HTP uptake, while the contribution from previously non-current users increased. Approximately 56% of HTP users also smoked conventional cigarettes in 2025. Separate industry data show that Japan's heated tobacco sales reached 73.4 billion units in fiscal 2025, approaching conventional cigarette sales of 78.2 billion units.
SCIENCE
Nov.10
Latest UK ONS Data: Vaping Rate Edges Down to 9.9% in 2025, a Year After Overtaking Cigarette Smoking
Latest UK ONS Data: Vaping Rate Edges Down to 9.9% in 2025, a Year After Overtaking Cigarette Smoking
Vaping prevalence in Great Britain edged down to 9.9% in 2025 from 10.0% in 2024, with the number of adult users holding at approximately 5.4 million for a second consecutive year, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). E-cigarette use had risen from 6.4% in 2020 to 10.0% in 2024, when it exceeded cigarette smoking prevalence for the first time. Cigarette smoking continued to decline to 8.7% in 2025, widening the gap to 1.2 percentage points. Daily vaping declined slightly, while usage among adults aged 25–34 increased despite falling rates in other age groups.
DATA
Oct.14
Zhang Xiaotang Appointed Deputy Director of China’s Tobacco Regulator, Adding Another Finance-Background Official to Top Leadership
Zhang Xiaotang Appointed Deputy Director of China’s Tobacco Regulator, Adding Another Finance-Background Official to Top Leadership
China’s State Council has appointed Zhang Xiaotang as deputy director of the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, with the regulator’s official website now listing him as a Party leadership group member and deputy director. Zhang previously led Hebei China Tobacco and earlier headed the STMA’s finance and audit department. His appointment follows the elevation earlier this year of former tax official Yao Laiying to head the STMA, adding another senior official with a strong fiscal or financial-management background to China Tobacco’s top leadership in 2026.
News
Sep.20