The FDA and Big Tobacco’s War On Vaping | Smoke Tokz

If you’re an avid or even a casual vaper, it shouldn’t be much of a shock that vaping is once again under attack from the FDA, politicians, and (you guessed it) big tobacco. While you’d think that there were more pressing issues and problems in the world to address, the government is once again going after flavored vaping devices and tobacco but, as usual, leaving the door wide open for big tobacco companies to let their lackluster vape products onto the market.

What we know:

In an odd move this week, the FDA granted marketing approval for the Vuse Solo e-cigarette, which after a bit of research happens to be owned by R.J. Reynolds, whose cigarette brands include Camel, Newport, Pall Mall, Doral, as well as Kodiak and Grizzly chewing tobacco.
The FDA justified its approval of Vuse by stating: “These data reinforce the FDA’s decision to authorize the tobacco-flavored products because these products are less appealing to youth and authorizing these products may be beneficial for adult combusted cigarette users,”
Over 500 vape companies have submitted roughly 6.5 million applications for vaping products only to be denied, particularly for the flavored varieties. Most of these vape companies are not big players in the vaping world and pale in comparison to the size and influence of R.J. Reynolds, a global tobacco titan.
While JUUL was once the top vaping device on the planet a few years back, the ban on flavored pods has made it less of a player in the vape industry. However, the FDA is still reviewing whether it will ban JUUL products altogether, but since Marlboro has a 35% stake in the company, you can probably guess what happens next. JUUL currently offers tobacco or menthol-flavored pods only, and the debate seems to be about whether ‘methol‘ is considered a ‘flavor.’

At Vape Tokz, we’ve seen countless smokers (including your humble blog writer) kick the habit with the help of vaping, and we are deeply disturbed that the FDA is overreaching by pandering to big tobacco companies as opposed to the smaller companies that actually make quality vape products. We don’t know when or if flavored vape juices or pods will come under the FDA’s scrutiny, but it has become clear that they are OK with big tobacco’s attempt at highjacking the market. We’ll keep you posted with any vaping news we hear but in the meantime, stop by Vape Tokz at 103rd and State Line in Kansas City for all of your vaping needs!