Trump wins U.S. election | Expert analysis on e-cigarette policy direction under the next administration

Nov.06.2024
Trump wins U.S. election | Expert analysis on e-cigarette policy direction under the next administration
Tom Beaudet, CEO of U.S. compliance firm Accorto, reviewed the effectiveness of past bipartisan policies and predicts that the FDA will improve its review process, allowing e-cigarette products to gain market approval more quickly in the future.

The results of the 2024 U.S. presidential election have been revealed, with Donald Trump elected as the new president. As the largest e-cigarette market in the world, the direction and regulatory policies of the U.S. market have significant global implications. How the new administration will regulate e-cigarettes and the future of the U.S. e-cigarette market are questions drawing global industry attention. As a leading global vaping technology media and think tank, 2Firsts quickly connected with U.S. compliance experts to provide the most authoritative analysis.

 

Tom Beaudet, CEO of U.S. compliance firm Accorto, shared with 2Firsts his thoughts on the regulatory approaches and actions of both the Trump administration and the current Democratic government on e-cigarettes. He emphasized that, during the current administration's four years, only 9 harm-reduction product applications were approved, despite millions of applications being submitted. He predicts that under the next administration, the FDA may gradually establish a clearer market entry pathway, helping companies that submit complete scientific data gain market access more quickly.

 

Trump wins U.S. election | Expert analysis on e-cigarette policy direction under the next administration
Accorto CEO Tom Beaudet | Image source: 2Firsts

 

Read the full perspective from Tom Beaudet:

 

  • Several weeks ago, ex President Donald Trump made the statement that he saved flavored vapes in 2020 and that, if he is elected again, he will save flavors again. However, it must be remembered that flavored closed pod systems were banned during the Trump presidency.

 

  • During the past 4 years, FDA has only approved 9 new harm reduction products, although applications have been submitted for millions of new products.  Although the vast majority of those applications were not complete with the scientific data needed for substantive review by the CTP Office of Science, several companies did submit high quality applications and are still awaiting a final decision.  Many question why we should expect anything different under another Democratic Party administration.

 

  • There is hope, regardless of who walks away victorious on November 5.  The US VTA, led by their president Tony Abud, has been aggressively working to educate members of Congress from both parties about the life saving potential of Nicotine Harm Reduction products and the importance of making changes at FDA to repair the currently broken review process.  Regardless of who wins tomorrow, we should expect to see improvements in the PMTA review process where applications who spend the money and time to submit high quality applications have a known and proven pathway to a Market Granted Order.  As more products are approved and we develop a pool of predicate products to reference, the known pathway to success will be come more and more established.

 


 

2Firsts will continue to bring the latest reports and interpretations on U.S. e-cigarette policies.

 

Disclaimer: This article represents only the views of the expert.

KT&G’s Lil Strengthens Market Lead in Korea as Heated Tobacco Share Reaches 47.4%
KT&G’s Lil Strengthens Market Lead in Korea as Heated Tobacco Share Reaches 47.4%
According to South Korea’s UpKorea, KT&G’s heated tobacco brand Lil reached a 47.4% share of Korea’s heated tobacco stick market in the first quarter of 2026. The company is expanding its next-generation products (NGP) business through product development, technology investment and overseas growth. KT&G reported NGP sales of 890.1 billion won (approximately US$650 million) in 2025, up significantly from 279.3 billion won in 2020. Lil products are now available in 34 markets, while KT&G continues building its technology portfolio through patents and multiple product platforms.
Jul.23
Product | JTI Expands Ploom Ecosystem as LYO Tobacco-Free Nicotine Sticks Roll Out Across Europe
Product | JTI Expands Ploom Ecosystem as LYO Tobacco-Free Nicotine Sticks Roll Out Across Europe
Japan Tobacco International (JTI) is expanding its Ploom heated product ecosystem with LYO tobacco-free nicotine sticks. Designed specifically for Ploom devices, LYO contains nicotine but no tobacco. Public information shows that the product has gradually entered several European markets, including Spain, Portugal and Germany, and was officially introduced in Romania in July 2026. The launch highlights JTI’s efforts to explore broader nicotine consumable formats beyond traditional tobacco-based sticks.
JTI
Jul.21 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Germany Seizes 56 Pallets of Illegal Vapes, Probe Estimates €1.8 Million Tax Loss
Germany Seizes 56 Pallets of Illegal Vapes, Probe Estimates €1.8 Million Tax Loss
German authorities have seized dozens of pallets of illegal disposable vapes in a criminal investigation, with the products estimated to have caused at least €1.8 million in tax losses. The case has also raised concerns over cross-border supply chains linked to unauthorized nicotine products entering the European market.
Jul.14
French Anti-Tobacco Group Questions PMI’s IQOS “Curiosity” Campaign Over Potential Youth Appeal
French Anti-Tobacco Group Questions PMI’s IQOS “Curiosity” Campaign Over Potential Youth Appeal
According to French anti-tobacco group Générations Sans Tabac, Philip Morris International’s (PMI) IQOS “Curiosity” campaign has drawn attention from public health advocates. The group argues that the campaign uses themes including curiosity, exploration and lifestyle branding that could increase interest among younger audiences. PMI has positioned IQOS as a key part of its smoke-free product strategy, while France maintains strict restrictions on tobacco and nicotine product marketing. The debate highlights ongoing tensions between heated tobacco branding strategies and public health concerns in Europe.
Jul.24
Japan’s Heated Tobacco Tax Changes Reshape Consumer Choices, Survey Reveals Impact of Price and Income
Japan’s Heated Tobacco Tax Changes Reshape Consumer Choices, Survey Reveals Impact of Price and Income
A consumer survey by Japanese heated tobacco information platform RELAZO found that rising tobacco prices and planned heated tobacco tax changes may influence smoking decisions among Japanese consumers. The survey covered 49,879 men and women aged 20 to 69 nationwide. It found that around 40% of respondents cumulatively indicated they may consider quitting when a pack reaches ¥600 (approximately US$4.1), while nearly 90% expressed potential quitting intentions at a ¥1,000 (approximately US$6.8) price level. The survey also found significant differences by income level, with lower-income respondents showing greater sensitivity to price increases.
Jul.24
Former FDA Scientist Questions ZYN Review Over Pouch Material and Microplastic Risk
Former FDA Scientist Questions ZYN Review Over Pouch Material and Microplastic Risk
A former FDA toxicologist has questioned whether the agency fully assessed the material used in ZYN nicotine pouches before authorizing them for sale, raising concerns over possible microplastic exposure, according to STAT and The Examination.
Jul.16