FDA Seizes $18 Million in Chinese Vapes But Impact Unclear

Matthew Ma

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently collaborated with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to confiscate $18 million worth of vaping products originating from China.

FDA vape seizure China

Seizure Called Protecting Kids But Numbers Don't Add Up

The agencies touted this sizable seizure as safeguarding American youth. However, $18 million represents a tiny fraction of the overall vaping market.

Additionally, federal data on youth vaping has been inconsistently presented and politically weaponized. Surveys grouping any minor who admits trying vaping as a regular "user" produce inflated statistics.

Despite no evidence e-cigarettes directly prompt smoking uptake among teens, the Obama administration still pushed bans rationalized as preventing youth access. Ironically, these bans likely made vaping more alluring as a forbidden fruit.

Predictable Outcomes of Over-Regulation

As the founder of a health non-profit, I had two main worries about excessive vaping regulation:

  • Stimulating a black market and empowering criminal organizations.
  • Imposing such onerous registration and approval processes that small companies get squeezed out, leaving the market to Big Tobacco firms smokers detest.

    • Unfortunately, both scenarios have since unfolded just as predicted.

    Vaping No Longer a Teen Fad

    The same fluctuating youth surveys used to declare an "epidemic" now demonstrate vaping rates crashing among teenagers. The initial frenzy around Juul has passed.

    Yet purchasing unregulated products on the street retains its outlaw allure for adolescents. Prohibition policies directly enabled this hazardous black market to thrive.

    Big Tobacco Domination

    And by granting its regulatory blessing to just three massive corporations so far - RJ Reynolds, Altria, and Japan Tobacco International - the FDA has effectively handed over the legal vaping industry to Big Tobacco.

    So this recent headline-grabbing seizure likely will not protect teens nor former adult smokers now vaping to quit cigarettes. It does allow the government to posture against China while accomplishing little else.