As Illegal E-cigs Are Seized, China Ships More Of Them To U.S.

Federal officials are seizing more shipments of unauthorized electronic cigarettes at US ports, but thousands of new flavored products continue to pour into the country from China, according to government and industry data, as reported by Matthew Perrone of the Associated Press (AP).

More than 11,500 unique vaping products are being sold in U.S. stores, up 27% from 9,000 products in June.

The figures underscore the chaotic state of the nation’s $7 billion vaping market and raise questions about how the US government can stop the flow of fruit-flavored disposable e-cigarettes used by 1 in 10 American teens and adolescents.

More than 11,500 unique vaping products are being sold in U.S. stores, up 27% from 9,000 products in June, according to tightly held industry data from analytics firm Circana.

“FDA whacks one product and then the manufacturers get around it, and the kids get around it,” said Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, a Stanford University psychologist who develops anti-vaping educational materials.

“It’s too easy to change your product a little bit and just relaunch it.” Halpern-Felsher says she is “constantly” updating her curriculum to keep pace with new vaping brands and trends.

Nearly all the new products are disposable e-cigarettes, according to the sales data gathered from gas stations, convenience stores, and other shops. The products generated $3.2 billion in the first 11 months of this year.

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