CHICAGO — CSP asked e-cigarette suppliers for tips for tobacco category managers on how to best manage their vapor sections given the ongoing regulation struggles.
Here’s a taste of what they said ...
“We anticipate that as the FDA begins enforcement against illegally marketed and synthetic-nicotine vaping products, there may be an increased demand for compliant and legal vaping products. We hope retailers take a serious look at who their partners are. You want to partner with companies that comply with regulations and produce high-quality products.”
—Niraj Patel, president and CEO of Bidi Vapor LLC, Melbourne, Fla.
“For companies, like MNGO, that submitted full PMTAs back in 2020, the loophole surrounding synthetic nicotine has been a burden. It allowed many unestablished companies to bring new products to the market without the same regulatory oversight and testing requirements that we were held to. These companies were able to market new technology and new flavors without having any of the responsibility of regulatory compliance. This created confusion within the marketplace and ultimately led to what we feel was illicit competition.”
—Peter White, managing director with MNGO, Chicago
“As the market continues to be flooded with illegal, unregistered products, c-store owners may feel inclined to capitalize on easy cash-grabs; however, it should be stressed that this is not always a sound or safe business decision. Doing right by the category, not to mention one’s own customers, is crucial. Retailers need to be able to support their regular, loyal shoppers by providing a variety of compliant vapor brands consistently in the days ahead.”
—Max Katzman, manager of brand and digital marketing for E-Alternative Solutions, Jacksonville, Fla.
“Retailers with questions about the regulatory status of particular products should contact their product manufacturers for information on their products and compliance programs. Especially given recent legislation that empowers the FDA to regulate synthetic nicotine, it is more important than ever that retailers understand the legal status of the products on their shelves.”
—Kaelan Hollon, senior director of communications with Reynolds American Inc., Winston-Salem, N.C.
“I think it’s vital for all tobacco category managers to [take into] account a brand’s PMTA status. Not only companies that have applied and have been accepted, but companies that are specifically under the substantial review phase and received a filing letter. … This process … means a brand conducted and submitted all proper, scientific studies to comply with all of the PMTA requirements. There are only a handful of flavored disposables under this phase.”
—Andrew Laron, partner with Ziiplab.com, San Francisco
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