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.

2FIRSTS EXCLUSIVE|China Breaks Up $6.8 Million Illegal Hookah Tobacco Operation as Market Expands
2FIRSTS EXCLUSIVE|China Breaks Up $6.8 Million Illegal Hookah Tobacco Operation as Market Expands
Chinese authorities have dismantled an illegal hookah tobacco operation worth more than 46 million yuan ($6.8 million), detaining five foreign suspects and seizing over 500,000 boxes of tobacco paste. The case comes as hookah expands across China’s nightlife sector and attracts overseas operators, including former vaping entrepreneurs. It also raises a central regulatory question: whether waterpipe tobacco will follow China’s private-sector e-cigarette licensing model or be reserved for the state tobacco system, as with nicotine pouches, in the years ahead.
Jul.31
Seita’s Julia Neumaier Says France Should Target Vape Access, Not Plain Packaging
Seita’s Julia Neumaier Says France Should Target Vape Access, Not Plain Packaging
Julia Neumaier, general manager of Seita, Imperial Brands’ French subsidiary, said France should focus vaping regulation on access control, age verification, online sales and distribution channels, rather than applying tobacco-style plain packaging to vaping products.
Jul.15
China’s Zhengzhou Tobacco Research Institute develops end-to-end heated tobacco analysis to trace aerosol compound origins
China’s Zhengzhou Tobacco Research Institute develops end-to-end heated tobacco analysis to trace aerosol compound origins
The Zhengzhou Tobacco Research Institute of China National Tobacco Corporation has filed a patent application for an end-to-end method to analyze the migration and transformation of chemical compounds in heated tobacco products. Using GC-Orbitrap/MS non-targeted analysis, the method compares tobacco substrate and aerosol samples to distinguish compounds transferred directly from the substrate from those newly formed during heating, while also calculating transfer rates. In an example involving nine heated tobacco products, the patent identified 17 newly formed thermal decomposition compounds and 38 transferred compounds.
Aug.13
Japan’s Heated Tobacco Tax Reform Drives Price Increase as JT Raises All Ploom Sticks by ¥40
Japan’s Heated Tobacco Tax Reform Drives Price Increase as JT Raises All Ploom Sticks by ¥40
Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) has applied to Japan’s finance minister for approval to revise retail prices of its Ploom heated tobacco sticks following planned changes to the heated tobacco tax system from October 1, 2026. If approved, all 31 Ploom stick products will increase by ¥40. After the adjustment, EVO products will cost ¥620 per 20-stick pack, MEVIUS products ¥590 and CAMEL products ¥570. JT said the price revision is intended to respond to tax changes while maintaining product quality and brand value. The tax reform is expected to narrow the tax gap between combustible cigarettes and heated tobacco products, potentially reshaping pricing strategies in Japan’s heated tobacco market.
Jul.22
South Korea Rejects 16 Trillion Won Tax-Evasion Claim Over Chinese Synthetic Nicotine
South Korea Rejects 16 Trillion Won Tax-Evasion Claim Over Chinese Synthetic Nicotine
The South Korean government rejected allegations that Chinese synthetic-nicotine e-liquids were linked to about 16 trillion won in tobacco tax evasion, saying China does not ban synthetic nicotine exports and the estimate is difficult to verify, while acknowledging that pre-law synthetic-nicotine inventory is effectively difficult to tax.
Market
Jun.25
Indonesia’s BNN Pushes Total Vape Ban as Health Ministry Tightens Tobacco Packaging Rules, Putting $40 Billion Industry at Risk
Indonesia’s BNN Pushes Total Vape Ban as Health Ministry Tightens Tobacco Packaging Rules, Putting $40 Billion Industry at Risk
Indonesia is entering a new phase of debate over vape and tobacco regulation. The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) has proposed a total vape ban, with some lawmakers supporting stronger restrictions. At the same time, the Health Ministry is advancing tobacco and nicotine regulations under Government Regulation No. 28/2024, including measures such as plain packaging and product controls. Tobacco and vape industries have warned that tighter rules could affect a sector worth around $40 billion, supporting about 6 million jobs and contributing significant tax revenue.
Jul.27