New Insider Deals are perfect for spring and summerFILE - In this April 23, 2014 file photo, a man smokes an electronic cigarette in Chicago. Schools around the country are installing sensors and cameras to crack down on student vaping, and handing out harsh punishments for many who are caught. Schools have invested millions of dollars in the surveillance technology, including federal COVID-19 emergency relief money meant to help schools through the pandemic.
Scott Shalley, President of the Florida Retail Federation explained that it’s near impossible to know if a vape is illegal.“It’s a tremendous problem and the market is being flooded with primarily illicit products that have not seen any sort of review by the FDA or anybody else in terms of safety. And it’s creating a tremendous challenge for retailers and for consumers, really, to try to make sure that they’re getting something that’s been being vetted,” Shalley said.
Three Chinese-owned companies have dominated the market in Florida, selling over $355 million worth of products in 2023. Florida saw total sales of $410 million.“You’re talking about something that has chemicals in it that are then going into your body that the entire mechanism hasn’t been reviewed in any way. There have been instances of fentanyl being associated with those products and other types of illicit substances,” Shalley said.
The three companies that sell the most disposable vapes in Florida are Elf Bar, Fume, and HQD, all of which are Chinese-owned companies.News4JAX asked what consumers should be checking for when buying vapes in Florida. However, that could be challenging for consumers as it’s hard to tell if a vape is legal.
“It’s virtually impossible, to be candid. And that’s where we fall short in our educational efforts on this, because we need to know, we need more guidance from the federal government. You know, as a general rule, most of the illicit products are single-use flavored products. But that doesn’t stand alone for just, you know, the illicit product,” Shalley said. “So it is virtually impossible. And that’s something that is a tremendous concern, and is hampering our educational efforts.