Last year’s FDA vaping regulations announcement hit the vaping industry pretty hard. With stiff regulations covering almost 500 pages, many of us were preparing for extensive and costly changes. But recent statements made by the new Commissioner of Food and Drug Administration, Scott Gottlieb, have brought new hope for all of us in the vaping industry as the FDA embraces more sensible vaping regulations along with a four-year extension.

FDA's New Regulations for E-Cigarettes, Cigars, and All Other Tobacco Products

Effective August 8, 2016, the FDA finalized a rule, to regulate the manufacturing, import, packaging, labeling, advertising, promotion, sale, and distribution of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). This includes components and parts of ENDS but excludes accessories. But according to the updated timeline, the Food and Drug Administration has not just delayed regulations, but also opened the door to endorsing e-cigarettes as a means to get smokers to quit.

FDA's Change of Heart

Under the agency’s new policy, the rules for FDA approval of vaping products has been pushed back to Aug. 8, 2022. A sigh of relief for many of us.

As Gottlieb unveiled the new comprehensive plan for tobacco and nicotine regulation, he stated, “we must recognize the potential for innovation to lead to less harmful products, which, under FDA’s oversight, could be part of a solution. While there’s still much research to be done on these products and the risks that they may pose, they may also present benefits that we must consider.”

Although much research generally supports that e-cigarettes are less dangerous than smoking, it is still a topic that is hotly disputed. Embracing the harm-reduction approach of e-cigarettes as a means to stop smoking, Gottlieb continued, “we need to make sure we strike the right balance between FDA fulfilling its vital consumer protection role while also fostering innovation when it comes to potentially less harmful forms of nicotine delivery.”

For a much more detailed timeline, check out the article on Vaping 360, “ FDA vaping regulations: an updated timeline and FAQ.”

How Do the New FDA Vaping Regulations Affect Our Customers?

The FDA regulations affecting vape shops include age verification and a crackdown on free e-liquid samples. Additionally:

●Starting in 2018: Required nicotine warnings on product package labels and advertisements: “Warning: This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.”

●Vape shops will be allowed to show and explain the use of an ENDS product without assembling the product.

●Vape shops will be allowed to maintain a product for the customer, such as cleaning, inspecting and replacing coil heads, glass tubes, and seals, as well as general maintenance.

●Vape shops will be allowed to replace coils in an ENDS product for customers, but the coils must be identical coils — same ohm and wattage range.

●Vape shops will be allowed to assemble products that were packaged together in an ENDS kit.

Ultimately, Gottlieb’s recent statements seem to indicate that vaping products that have “satisfying levels” of nicotine will still be around. BUT…who knows what the FDA will ultimately decide to do. We will keep you up to date on any FDA vaping regulations and updates as we hear them. As always, if you have any questions, never hesitate to reach out and connect with the experts at Gorilla Vapes directly.