Illegal vapes, tobacco products being sold in Hawaii
Illegal vapes or e-cigarettes and oral tobacco pouch products originating from China and containing “dangerously” high amounts of nicotine may have found their way into Hawaii.
Letters from the office of Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez have been sent to over 800 Hawaii tobacco retailers and distributors who may be distributing and selling these products. It’s part of a coordinated effort led by a coalition of 10 attorney generals from around the country to hold companies accountable “for unlawfully manufacturing, distributing, selling and marketing flavored disposable e-cigarette products, especially to the youth population,” according to a news release.
These high-nicotine products are aimed at youths coming in different kid-friendly flavors, playful shapes and bright colors with some including video games encouraging youths to earn virtual coins by vaping.
The products are largely made in China and imported illegally into the U.S. by companies that refuse to participate in the FDA mandated marketing order process. The products are therefore considered unlawful to sell.
Tobacco products sold in the U.S. must be authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Currently, only 34 e-cigarettes and 24 oral nicotine products have been authorized for sale. The 24 oral products include 20 nicotine pouch products that have been authorized by the FDA as of Jan. 16. Despite the required FDA authorization, flavored disposable e-cigarettes have flooded the U.S. market.
In the release, Rich Stacey, a Deputy Attorney General with the Department’s Criminal Justice Division Tobacco Enforcement Unit, stated, “These illegal products may contain dangerous ingredients not listed on the packaging. E-cigarettes typically contain lithium-ion batteries that have been linked to burns and explosion-related injuries. The Department of the Attorney General is recommending all retailers and distributors in Hawaii to remove any tobacco products not authorized for sale by the FDA.”
The letter also reminds retailers and distributors that e-cigarettes and e-liquids are included in the Cigarette Tax and Tobacco Tax Law (Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 245). Wholesalers and dealers of these products must have a tobacco license issued by the Hawaii Department of Taxation that has the ability to suspend, revoke or decline to renew any tobacco license.
Retailers and distributors who knowingly sell the illegal tobacco products could be subject to federal investigations and penalties, according to the AG.
The public can report businesses selling these illegal e-cigarettes and vaping products by contacting the Department of the Attorney General’s Tobacco Enforcement Unit at [email protected].
See copies of the letters from Lopez to retailers and distributors including a list of FDA-authorized e-cigarettes and tobacco products that are legal to sell in the U.S.
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