Urgent Need to Combat Illegal Flavored E-cigarette Sales

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Dec.11.2023
Urgent Need to Combat Illegal Flavored E-cigarette Sales
According to liherald, underage use of e-cigarettes in the US has reached "epidemic" levels, prompting strict enforcement measures.

According to a report by liherald on December 8, the usage of e-liquid or e-cigarette products among minors in the United States has reached a "epidemic" level since their introduction. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has strongly condemned this trend and implemented a policy in 2020 to prioritize the enforcement against illegal use of flavored nicotine products that appeal to children.

 

In May 2020, the Department of Health in the state of New York announced the implementation of a law banning the sale of flavored nicotine products. According to data obtained from the state's youth tobacco survey, the percentage of high school students using e-cigarettes has increased from 10.5% to 27.4%.

 

Representatives from the Elmont PTA, including Reva Whitehead, spokesperson for the Elmont Parent Teacher Association, Dale Davis, Vice President of the Gotham Avenue School Parent Teacher Association, Michaelle Solages, legislator, Carrié Solages, county legislator, and Kent Sopris, Chairman of the New York Convenience Store Association, gathered in Elmont to urge Governor Kathy Hochul and the state legislature to crack down on the sale of illegal flavored e-liquid products within the state.

 

We need to ensure that the malevolent actors are held accountable," said Michel Solages, "They cannot be allowed to act freely. They need to be shut down.

 

They hope to see government leadership, industry support, and coordinated efforts in order to bring about change in the proliferation of illicit flavored e-liquid products.

 

New York State faces a concerning issue with flavored e-cigarettes, which have been illegally sold in the past few years. "Despite being illegally sold, children are still able to acquire these e-cigarettes that are designed to resemble pens, USB drives, highlighters, and other school supplies," said Sopris. As a result, parents and teachers remain unaware that these seemingly innocuous items are actually e-cigarettes.

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released its 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey on November 3, revealing that 2.8 million middle and high school students currently use tobacco products, accounting for 10% of the country's population structure.

 

The majority of reports indicate that students who use tobacco products are opting to use e-cigarettes instead.

 

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

Hunan China Tobacco Industry files heated tobacco device patent featuring adult-user identification through pressure sensing
Hunan China Tobacco Industry files heated tobacco device patent featuring adult-user identification through pressure sensing
China-based Hunan China Tobacco Industry Co., Ltd. and Shenzhen Baisha Technology Co., Ltd. have filed a patent application covering an adult-user identification mechanism for heated tobacco devices. The patent proposes using flexible pressure sensors installed in the device grip area to collect pressure distribution patterns generated when users hold the device. The system evaluates factors including effective contact area, grip shape and contact duration, and combines roller movement detection to determine whether unlocking conditions are met. The filing reflects exploration of device-level user recognition and smarter interaction technologies for heated tobacco products (HTPs).
Aug.05
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
Product | ZAR Launches Coffee AirPouch, Expanding Pouch Format Into Caffeine Products
Product | ZAR Launches Coffee AirPouch, Expanding Pouch Format Into Caffeine Products
ZAR has introduced Coffee AirPouch, a nicotine-free caffeine pouch product that extends the brand’s AirPouch format into the functional consumer category. Each pouch contains 50mg of natural caffeine and features a coffee flavor, highlighting how pouch-based products are expanding beyond traditional nicotine applications into broader lifestyle and energy-use scenarios.
Market
Jul.13 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Florida Governor DeSantis Expands TANF Restrictions, Blocking Welfare Benefits From Buying Tobacco and Vapes
Florida Governor DeSantis Expands TANF Restrictions, Blocking Welfare Benefits From Buying Tobacco and Vapes
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced an expansion of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) restrictions that would prohibit Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) funds from being used to purchase tobacco and vaping products. The state will amend its TANF State Plan and submit the changes for federal approval. Florida officials said the restrictions would not affect eligibility for temporary cash assistance or the amount of benefits received, but would change how funds can be spent.
Aug.25
2Firsts Data | China’s U.S. Vape Exports Have Yet to Regain Previous Growth Momentum in H1 2026, but Hardware Grew 15.2% and 6-Methyl Nicotine-Related Products Rose 234.7%
2Firsts Data | China’s U.S. Vape Exports Have Yet to Regain Previous Growth Momentum in H1 2026, but Hardware Grew 15.2% and 6-Methyl Nicotine-Related Products Rose 234.7%
China’s vape exports to the U.S. reached approximately $1.58 billion in the first half of 2026, remaining broadly stable from a year earlier but still below previous growth momentum. 2Firsts’ analysis of China Customs data shows that the U.S. market has not simply returned to its previous trajectory after the enforcement shock and inventory-driven swings of 2025. Instead, export momentum is shifting across product categories. Vaping devices and atomization hardware increased 15.2% year over year, while 6-methyl nicotine-related and other nicotine substitute products surged 234.7%. Meanwhile, traditional nicotine-containing vaping products continued to face pressure.
Jul.22
China’s Shanghai Tobacco Group Launches CNY 10.98 Million (Approximately US$1.53 Million) Procurement for Heated Tobacco Production Utility Equipment
China’s Shanghai Tobacco Group Launches CNY 10.98 Million (Approximately US$1.53 Million) Procurement for Heated Tobacco Production Utility Equipment
Shanghai Tobacco Group Co., Ltd., a tobacco manufacturing company under China National Tobacco Corporation (CNTC), has launched a public tender for heated tobacco products (HTPs) production utility equipment at its Shanghai Cigarette Factory. The project is valued at CNY 10.98 million and covers six combined air-conditioning units, electrical cabinets and control systems for production facilities. The procurement includes equipment design, supply, installation, commissioning and related training services.
Aug.07