The Rise of Synthetic Nicotine in the Vaping Industry.

Aug.10.2022
The Rise of Synthetic Nicotine in the Vaping Industry.
The popularity of disposable products like Puffbar has brought synthetic nicotine into focus and industry research suggests it has been considered since the 1960s. New legislation may soon regulate it.

The emergence of Puffbar, and its increasing popularity due to its disposable nature, has put synthetic nicotine in the spotlight. A recent paper reported on searches for "truth tobacco industry documents," showing that the industry has been considering the use of synthetic nicotine since the 1960s. However, previous efforts were abandoned.


The paper further explains the various types of synthetic nicotine and how many manufacturers, including leading pharmaceutical-grade nicotine suppliers, have recently developed stereoselective strategies to be able to synthesize the types of synthetic nicotine currently found in e-cigarettes.


So far, e-cigarette suppliers have been able to exploit regulatory loopholes to avoid the costly pre-market tobacco product application (PMTA) process. However, the situation may soon change.


On December 15th, New Jersey Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill introduced the 2021 Nicotine Clarification Authorization Act, a bipartisan bill that would empower the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate synthetic nicotine products in the same way as manufactured nicotine products, whether sourced from tobacco or not.


Representative Cheryl stated in a press release that the bill aims to protect minors. "This bill will ensure that all tobacco products, including those made with synthetic nicotine, are regulated by the FDA to protect our communities' children and those who may seek to use these products," she said.


The FDA delays the ban on synthetic nicotine.


Currently, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act (FDCA) defines "tobacco products" as "any product made or derived from tobacco that is intended for human consumption, including any component, part, or accessory of a tobacco product." However, in addition to regulating synthetic nicotine as a component of tobacco products, the FDA also has the authority to regulate it as a drug.


In the meantime, last month, the FDA began issuing warnings to unauthorized manufacturers and retailers of products containing synthetic nicotine. Despite growing pressure to ban the compound, the FDA has not taken action.


Statement:


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


This article does not reflect the views of 2FIRSTS, and 2FIRSTS is unable to confirm the authenticity or accuracy of the content. The compilation of this article is intended for communication and research within the industry.


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


2FIRSTS aligns completely with the positions and stances of the Chinese government concerning any domestic, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, or international matters.


Article compilation rights belong to the original media and author. Please contact us to remove any infringement.



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.

U.S. Ninth Circuit Upholds FDA Denial of MH Global’s Flavored Vape PMTA Applications
U.S. Ninth Circuit Upholds FDA Denial of MH Global’s Flavored Vape PMTA Applications
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld the FDA’s denial of MH Global LLC’s applications to market flavored electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). The court ruled that FDA’s comparative-efficacy framework, which requires applicants to show that flavored products provide greater cessation or switching benefits than tobacco-flavored alternatives, is consistent with the Tobacco Control Act’s “appropriate for the protection of the public health” standard. The court also found that FDA was not required to establish the framework through notice-and-comment rulemaking.
Aug.26
Alaska Warns 1,500 Tobacco Retailers Over Unauthorized Vapes and Nicotine Pouches
Alaska Warns 1,500 Tobacco Retailers Over Unauthorized Vapes and Nicotine Pouches
Alaska Attorney General Stephen J. Cox has sent notices to more than 1,500 tobacco retailers and distributors warning them against selling vape and nicotine pouch products that lack authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to the Alaska Department of Law, businesses were advised to verify products against FDA authorization databases and avoid selling unauthorized nicotine products. The action highlights how state-level enforcement is increasingly extending federal product authorization requirements to retail channels.
Jul.24
UK PM Andy Burnham Reshapes Vape Retail Rules as Licensing Could Raise Barriers for New Shops
UK PM Andy Burnham Reshapes Vape Retail Rules as Licensing Could Raise Barriers for New Shops
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is pushing a high street reform agenda that could give local authorities greater powers over commercial activity, including vape retail. The reforms could involve expanded planning powers and a potential vape retail licensing system, allowing councils to play a larger role in store locations and market access. The measures are part of the UK’s broader shift toward tighter vape regulation, although no nationwide vape retail restrictions have yet been implemented.
Aug.11
Senate Democrat Wyden Probes Trump Administration Vape Policy Shift, Seeks Records From HHS and Reynolds American
Senate Democrat Wyden Probes Trump Administration Vape Policy Shift, Seeks Records From HHS and Reynolds American
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, the Democratic ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, has launched an investigation into flavored vape policy changes and requested records from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Reynolds American and Botanic Tonics. The investigation focuses on a timeline involving Reynolds American’s $5 million donation to MAGA Inc. in April 2026 and subsequent vape policy developments. Wyden said the review aims to examine potential links between political donations, corporate communications and government decisions. The investigation does not represent a finding of wrongdoing.
Innovation
Aug.07 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Changing Assumptions in U.S. Cigar Consumption: 2Firsts Interviews Cigar Educator Mechelle Merkerson
Changing Assumptions in U.S. Cigar Consumption: 2Firsts Interviews Cigar Educator Mechelle Merkerson
U.S. premium cigar culture is shifting toward education, broader choice and deeper links to craftsmanship and origin, cigar educator Mechelle Merkerson told 2Firsts. She sees boutique brands, women consumers and production-region experiences making knowledge central to cigar participation. For global brands, retailers and emerging markets such as China, education may help turn curiosity into sustained engagement.
Special Report
Jul.06
BAT UK Director Tolga Kilic Says Illicit Nicotine Market Squeezes Legal Retailers Amid Rising Compliance Costs
BAT UK Director Tolga Kilic Says Illicit Nicotine Market Squeezes Legal Retailers Amid Rising Compliance Costs
UK retail publication Grocery Trader has published a viewpoint article from Tolga Kilic, Commercial Director for BAT UK & Ireland, discussing the impact of illicit nicotine products on legitimate retail channels. Kilic said illegal vapes and other illicit nicotine products create competitive pressure for compliant retailers and called for stronger market controls and supply-chain oversight. The comments come as the UK advances policies including the disposable vape ban and Vaping Products Duty, creating a more complex operating environment for legal vape retailers.
Jul.28