“Thousands of small-business vape shops across America do not engage in irresponsible marketing practices and do not even sell the products being targeted by the FDA with threatening letters. Despite this, Commissioner Gottlieb is threatening to shut down all these businesses unless larger manufacturers unilaterally choose to change their marketing practices. It is absolutely absurd and a perversion of how regulatory agencies are supposed to approach their work.
“This move by Commissioner Gottlieb is nothing more than a gift to the tobacco industry. No one should be surprised that stocks for Philip Morris International, British American Tobacco, and Altria all shot up following the announcement. Wall Street analysts know that bans on flavors in innovative products like JUUL will only help boost the profits of cigarette companies.
“Vaping products are intended for use by adult smokers, not youth. However, just like with marijuana and alcohol — usage rates of which are higher among teens than vaping products — it is impossible to stop all youth from experimenting.”
Portions of Conley’s comments were included in the Los Angeles Times.
About the American Vaping Association
The American Vaping Association is a nonprofit organization that advocates for fair and sensible regulation of vapor products, otherwise known as electronic cigarettes, with the goal of maximizing the number of adult smokers who use these products to quit smoking. The AVA was founded by Gregory Conley, a consumer and industry advocate with a long track record of advocating for vapor products dating back to 2010.
We are dedicated to educating the public and government officials about public health benefits offered by vapor products, which are battery-powered devices that heat a liquid nicotine or nicotine-free solution and create an inhalable vapor. The AVA is not a trade group and does not speak for any particular businesses, including our industry sponsors.
You can learn more about AVA and vaping by visiting the AVA website. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.
