FLER at APE

U.S. Rep.Mike Carey and 70 other Republican lawmakers have urged federal officials to elevate the crackdown on illicit vapes to the U.S.–China trade agenda. In a March 4 letter to the Treasury Secretary and the U.S. Trade Representative, they warned that unauthorized vape products pose risks related to national security, youth protection and organized crime. The signatories represent about one-third of House Republicans, highlighting growing congressional attention to illicit vape trade.

Bangladesh is preparing amendments to its anti-tobacco ordinance that would remove the ban on the production and sale of e-cigarettes and also delete provisions prohibiting the display of tobacco products at points of sale.

The Tennessee House of Representatives advanced legislation this week aimed at curbing underage use of vapor products. House Bill 2360 would allocate 30% of tax revenue from vapor products to counties to support youth nicotine prevention programs across the state.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made procedural progress in its lawsuit against North Carolina-based e-cigarette distributor Dream Distro LLC and its owner. A federal district judge granted the government’s request for entry of default after the defendants failed to respond to the complaint within 21 days of service. The government will next seek a default judgment, including a permanent injunction.

A Philippine Department of Trade and Industry official told a Senate hearing on vaping regulations that flavored vape products marketed with descriptors attractive to minors are “100 percent smuggled” and did not pass the agency’s licensing process.

Russian business groups are trying to persuade the authorities to abandon plans to ban the sale of e-cigarettes and related liquids at both the federal and regional levels.