Illegal U.S. vape sales worth at least $2.4 billion in 2024, data shows
Sales of unauthorised, flavoured disposable vapes in the United States amounted to around $2.4 billion in 2024, or 35% of the e-cigarettes from outlets such as convenience stores and supermarkets, according to private retail sales data reviewed by Reuters. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has only authorised 34 tobacco- or menthol-flavoured vape products for legal sale in the United States, all from big tobacco companies like British American Tobacco and Altria. Flavoured disposable vapes account for around 35% of the market tracked by a market research firm.
- The scale of illegal vape sales highlights the need for stricter regulations and enforcement to protect public health and curb the illicit trade.
- How will the FDA's efforts to crack down on unauthorised products impact the overall vape industry, particularly small businesses that struggle to compete with cheaper, black-market alternatives?