Vape registries hurt local retailers, are bad health policy | Commentary – The Post and Courier

Nationwide, store shelves are filled with vape products, almost all from China, that havent been inspected or approved by the Food and Drug Administration. When frustrated parents see teens with disposable vape pens, the vast majority of these pens fall into this category.

Why are they in the stores in the first place? Critics say its because the FDA hasnt done its job authorizing legit vaping products, leaving the unregulated market to meet consumer demand.

Now some states are trying to fill the void, creating registries of authorized vaping products that can be sold within their jurisdictions. However, advocates for local mom-and-pop retailers and national harm reduction policy say these states actions are making matters worse.

Vape registries exist in three states: Alabama, Louisiana and Oklahoma. The Florida legislature passed a vape registry bill this year, which awaits the governors signature, and South Carolinas Senate recently passed a similar bill.

Twenty-three companies are listed on Louisianas registry of approved products, and most are big-name, international companies such as Juul Labs and R.J. Reynolds.

Meanwhile, according to a letter to the FDA from a bipartisan group of U.S. senators, fewer than 50 of the more than 26 million premarket tobacco product applications submitted since 2009 have been authorized.

Many unreviewed applications are from local retailers making custom vape products and flavors for their customers. Theyre stuck in the back of the line. And then theres the public health aspect of the FDAs foot-dragging.

Remarkably, it has also authorized a total of only 16 Modified Risk Tobacco Products for only four unique products and their accessories, the senators added.

Their point, one shared by many public health professionals, is that e-cigarettes and vaping provide a lower-risk alternative to traditional cigarette use. Getting smokers to become vapers may not be ideal. Still, it would be a far better outcome for Americas health care system than if they were to continue smoking traditional cigarettes.

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Vape registries hurt local retailers, are bad health policy | Commentary - The Post and Courier