FDA Rejects Over 88,000 Nicotine Products, Crackdown Continues

Aug.05.2022
FDA Rejects Over 88,000 Nicotine Products, Crackdown Continues
FDA rejects manufacturers of over 88,000 nicotine-containing products, including synthetic nicotine, without approval. Evaluation of over 350 products ongoing.

The FDA announced on Wednesday that they have sent "refuse to accept" letters to manufacturers of over 88,000 products containing laboratory-made nicotine.


Stephanie Keith/Getty Images (no translation needed as this is already in standard journalistic English)


Brian Kin, Director of the Center for Tobacco Products, revealed the progress of the FDA's regulation of non-tobacco nicotine sources (i.e. synthetic nicotine). The FDA was authorized earlier this year to regulate synthetic nicotine.


Regulatory gray area.


Brian King stated in a letter to unapproved makers of nasal snuff that "selling or distributing any new tobacco products without pre-market authorization in the U.S. market is illegal." The FDA has not approved any synthetic nicotine products for marketing.


According to regulations set by the FDA, as of July 13th, all unauthorized synthetic nicotine products are considered illegal. Therefore, technically, any manufacturer that has not received FDA approval cannot sell their products after that date.


However, the FDA also noted that it will continue to evaluate over 350 synthetic nicotine products. While many of these products (most of which are e-cigarettes) are technically not allowed to be sold, it is still unclear whether the FDA will remove them from the market upon evaluation. The FDA has exercised enforcement discretion for e-cigarettes containing tobacco-derived nicotine, allowing them to remain on shelves while continuing to weigh their sale.


A buildup process


Jonathan Foulds, a public health science professor specializing in tobacco addiction at Penn State College of Medicine, told Pulse that some manufacturers of synthetic nicotine electronic cigarettes are undoubtedly bad. They exploit regulatory loopholes to stay on the market, with their products mainly targeting teenagers.


Given the tight timeline for compiling evidence, other manufacturers may not have had the opportunity to submit applications to the FDA. "To be honest, I'd be surprised if any of them got authorization," he told Pulse. "It's a lot of work that requires a great deal of information and proper research, which simply can't be completed in just two months." He noted that even electronic cigarette manufacturers that use tobacco-derived nicotine have been unable to meet the FDA's evidence standards, despite having had years to apply for marketing orders.


Statement:


This article is compiled from third-party information and is intended solely for industry exchange and learning purposes.


This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS and 2FIRSTS cannot confirm the truthfulness or accuracy of the content. The purpose of translating this article is solely for industry discussions and research.


Due to limitations in translation ability, the translated article may not fully convey the intended meaning of the original text. Please refer to the original text for accuracy.


2FIRSTS maintains complete alignment with the Chinese government regarding any domestic, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, or foreign-related expressions or positions.


The compilation of information belongs to the original media and author, and in the event of copyright infringement, please contact us for deletion.


He added, "If they are to withdraw from the market during the review by the agency, it would be fine by me, but they should have enough time to tidy up their applications.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

Russia Adds Vapes to “Strategic Goods” List, Illegal Cross-Border Trade Faces Up to Five Years in Prison
Russia Adds Vapes to “Strategic Goods” List, Illegal Cross-Border Trade Faces Up to Five Years in Prison
Russia will place e-cigarettes and related nicotine products under its “strategic goods” framework from August 20, 2026. According to TVP World’s report published on August 19, the newly listed items include e-cigarettes, electronic smoking devices, vape liquids and nicotine salts. Individuals who illegally move these products across Russia’s customs border or its state border with other Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) members could face up to five years in prison if shipment values exceed 100,000 rubles (about €1,000), provided all elements of a criminal offence are established.
Aug.20
South Korea Vape Strategies Diverge as BAT Reconsiders Exit and PMI Takes VEEV to About 14,000 Stores
South Korea Vape Strategies Diverge as BAT Reconsiders Exit and PMI Takes VEEV to About 14,000 Stores
BAT Rothmans says it previously considered exiting South Korea's vaping market because of competitive pressure from unregulated products, but is now reassessing conditions following changes to the country's nicotine regulatory framework. Vuse and other BAT vaping products remain available through existing distribution channels. The statement followed a South Korean media report that interpreted BAT's broader withdrawal from selected Vapour markets as a full exit from South Korea. Meanwhile, Philip Morris International launched VEEV inPRIME in the country in June and began expanding distribution to around 14,000 convenience stores and other retail channels in July. The contrasting moves highlight differing investment strategies as South Korea's regulated vaping market evolves.
Aug.14
Reuters Tracks Big Tobacco’s Shift Beyond Cigarettes as Nicotine Pouches Vie for the Next Growth Curve
Reuters Tracks Big Tobacco’s Shift Beyond Cigarettes as Nicotine Pouches Vie for the Next Growth Curve
As cigarette markets face long-term pressure, major tobacco companies are increasingly turning to nicotine pouches in search of growth beyond combustible tobacco. Reuters has examined whether nicotine pouches can become the next strategic growth platform for companies including Philip Morris International, British American Tobacco and Japan Tobacco. PMI strengthened its position through the acquisition of Swedish Match and its ZYN brand, while BAT and JTI continue expanding their own nicotine pouch portfolios. The category has gained attention because of its smoke-free, device-free format, but regulation, youth-use concerns and market scale will determine whether it can become a long-term growth engine.
Regulations
Aug.18 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Special Report|AIR H1 Revenue Rises 3.7% as Shisha Volumes Fall 9%, Testing Its Shift Beyond Traditional Hookah
Special Report|AIR H1 Revenue Rises 3.7% as Shisha Volumes Fall 9%, Testing Its Shift Beyond Traditional Hookah
AIR’s first half-year results as a listed company offer a new test of how far a traditional hookah business can transform. H1 2026 revenue rose 3.7%, even as Flavored Shisha Molasses shipments fell 9%, with pricing and mix supporting growth. Traditional shisha still generates almost all revenue, while OOKA, Crown Switch, Greentank and U.S. regulatory spending point to accelerating diversification. The next test is whether those investments can become a second business of meaningful scale and profitability.
Capital Markets
Aug.21
PMI CEO Attends Opening of IQOS Global Flagship in Tokyo’s Ginza as 1,814 Limited ILUMA i PRIME Sets Launch
PMI CEO Attends Opening of IQOS Global Flagship in Tokyo’s Ginza as 1,814 Limited ILUMA i PRIME Sets Launch
IQOS opened its first global flagship, IQOS Flagship Ginza, in Tokyo on September 4, 2026, replacing the former IQOS Store Ginza after nearly a decade of operation. The new location expands conventional product retail into member lounges, digital experiences, art installations and brand programming. IQOS also launched a Ginza-exclusive IQOS ILUMA i PRIME set limited to 1,814 individually numbered units, priced at JPY11,980, or about US$77. PMI Sales Strategy Consultant Yuji M. later said on LinkedIn that more than 500 people had lined up from the night before the opening.
Sep.07
New York’s 75% Wholesale Tax on Nicotine Pouches Takes Effect Sept. 1, With Aug. 31 Inventory Subject to Floor Tax
New York’s 75% Wholesale Tax on Nicotine Pouches Takes Effect Sept. 1, With Aug. 31 Inventory Subject to Floor Tax
New York State will extend its tobacco products tax to “alternative nicotine products,” including tobacco-free nicotine pouches, from September 1, 2026, at a rate of 75% of the wholesale price. Distributors, wholesalers and retailers must also inventory products held as of 11:59 p.m. on August 31 and pay a floor tax. Vapor products are excluded from the new category and remain subject to New York's separate 20% supplemental sales tax on the retail price.
Aug.26