House Oversight Committee Demands FDA Accountability for $200M Illicit Vape Enforcement Funds

House Oversight Committee Demands FDA Accountability for $200M Illicit Vape Enforcement Funds

Javier Manjarres
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May 14, 2026
The House Oversight Committee is pressing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to provide a detailed accounting of the $200 million allocated to combat illicit vaping products. Many of the targeted items are imported from China and marketed without authorization. Despite this substantial investment, lawmakers say unauthorized disposable vapes remain widely available in convenience stores, […]
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James Uthmeier Announces CHINA Prevention Unit, Adds to Crackdown of Illicit Vapes

James Uthmeier Announces CHINA Prevention Unit, Adds to Crackdown of Illicit Vapes

Michael Costeines
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February 6, 2026
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the establishment of the Consumer Harm from International Nefarious Actors (CHINA) Prevention Unit to fight ongoing threats from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) imposed on Floridians' data privacy and economic security during a press conference this week. The announcement follows Florida's ongoing lead in cracking down on the CCP's […]
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Joe Gruters Wants to Ban Smoking and Vaping Marijuana Products in Public Areas

Joe Gruters Wants to Ban Smoking and Vaping Marijuana Products in Public Areas

Michael Costeines
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December 22, 2025
Sen. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota) filed a bill to ban the smoking or vaping of marijuana products in certain public places last week. The bill, SB 986, aims to protect individuals from potential health hazards associated with secondhand smoke or vapor. Specifically, SB 986 designates public places, including streets, sidewalks, highways, public parks, public beaches, common […]
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AG James Uthmeier, JUUL Reach $79 Million Litigation Settlement

AG James Uthmeier, JUUL Reach $79 Million Litigation Settlement

Michael Costeines
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March 10, 2025
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced a $79 million litigation settlement with JUUL Labs, Inc., on Monday, after the e-cigarette company's past tactics targeted children in Florida. “As a father, the safety and wellbeing of children is top of mind, all the time. Florida has been a leader in the fight to end teen vaping, […]
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Biden Admin’s Eleventh-Hour Plan to Lower Nicotine Levels Sparks Concerns in Florida

Biden Admin’s Eleventh-Hour Plan to Lower Nicotine Levels Sparks Concerns in Florida

Liv Caputo
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January 20, 2025
The Biden administration's eleventh-hour proposal to lower nicotine concentrations in cigarettes has led some Floridians to fear a billion-dollar impact in state revenue and an eruption in black market cigarettes. The Food and Drug Administration proposed the plan Wednesday, just days before President Joe Biden will step down in favor of Donald Trump. The plan […]
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Last Squeeze?—9.23.2024—Ex-ATF Employee Sounds Alarm on Chinese Vape Problem—What Will Be On the November Ballot?—Much More...

Last Squeeze?—9.23.2024—Ex-ATF Employee Sounds Alarm on Chinese Vape Problem—What Will Be On the November Ballot?—Much More...

Liv Caputo
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September 23, 2024
Former Assistant ATF Director Criticizes FDA's Response to Chinese Vape Problem The Floridian spoke to the former Assistant Director of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) – Rich Marianos – concerning the rise of vape devices in American communities...READ MORE     FDP Chair Nikki Fried: "We will defeat Rick Scott. […]
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Former Assistant ATF Director Criticizes FDA's Response to Chinese Vape Problem

Former Assistant ATF Director Criticizes FDA's Response to Chinese Vape Problem

Jackson Bakich
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September 23, 2024
The Floridian spoke to the former Assistant Director of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) – Rich Marianos – concerning the rise of vape devices in American communities, especially vapes from China. These devices have infiltrated high schools and college campuses while appearing in the United States illegally from Asia. Marianos […]
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Former ATF Assistant Director Sounds Off on Chinese Vapes, Lack of Concern

Former ATF Assistant Director Sounds Off on Chinese Vapes, Lack of Concern

Jackson Bakich
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September 23, 2024
The Floridian spoke to the former Assistant Director of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) – Rich Marianos – concerning the rise of vape devices in American communities, especially vapes from China. These devices have infiltrated high schools and college campuses while appearing in the United States illegally from Asia. Marianos […]
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Congress Should Press for FDA Reform to Crack Down on Illegal E-Cigarettes

Congress Should Press for FDA Reform to Crack Down on Illegal E-Cigarettes

Opinion
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August 12, 2024
As a vape store owner and operator, I was glad to see the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary press top officials at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Department of Justice for answers about the massive increase in illicit, unauthorized vaping sales in the United States. The federal government’s inaction and ineffectiveness has created […]
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Florida Retail Federation CEO Shalley: FDA Needs to 'Step Up' Against Illicit Chinese Vapes

Florida Retail Federation CEO Shalley: FDA Needs to 'Step Up' Against Illicit Chinese Vapes

Jackson Bakich
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May 10, 2024
Florida Retail Federation (FRF) President and CEO Scott Shalley spoke with The Floridian in an exclusive interview regarding the sale of illicit Chinese vape products throughout the United States. In the state of Florida specifically, however, these products have dominated the disposable vape market. Chinese-owned companies such as Elf Bar, Fume, and HQD accounted for […]
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DeSantis Steps In and Holds Off Big Tobacco

DeSantis Steps In and Holds Off Big Tobacco

Jackson Bakich
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March 15, 2024
The Florida Legislature is poised to send a legislative measure concerning the regulation of single-use (disposable) vape products to Governor Ron DeSantis’ (R-FL) desk. HB 1007 – Nicotine Products and Dispensing Devices – passed both chambers significantly different than the legislation’s original language, but it could be argued that the end goal was still reached: […]
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