The FDA sent warning letters to several Puff Bar and Hyde disposable vape importers and dealers today. In the National Youth Tobacco Survey from the previous year, middle and high school students named both brands as favorites.
According to a news statement from the FDA, 30 companies received warning letters today for marketing products that weren't allowed. But as of 1:45 p.m., the FDA warning letter site only had 14 letters dated May 31 posted. The businesses listed thus far are:
- Empire Imports, LLC (Vapor Empire, LLC) - Puff Plus
- JTBC Holdings LLC (Disposable305) - Puff Plus
- NAKV Enterprises, Inc. (Fat Puff Wholesale) - Puff Plus
- MDM Group Inc. (Eliquidstop.com) - Puff Plus
- Sooner Distributor & Wholesalers International Inc - Puff XXL
- The Drip Ship LTD (buycbdcigarettes) - Puff Bar
- Vaperistas, LLC - Hyde Edge, Hyde Rebel
- TheSY, LLC (Element Vape) - Hyde Rebel, Hyde Retro, and Hyde Edge
- Huff and Puffers, LLC - Puff Xtra Limited
- Mr. Smokey Tobacco Corp (Smoke Shop/The Boss Tobacco) - Puff Plus
- Vape4Style, Inc - Puff Bar
- Mr. Smokey Tobacco Corp. (Hqdpods.com) - Puff Plus
- Superpuff Inc. (MyVapor) - Hyde Retro
- E-Juice Vapor, Inc. - Puff Bar
The alerts are a part of what seems to be a campaign of enforcement actions directed at single-use vape devices. The FDA issued an import notice for Chinese and Korean shipments of Esco Bar and Elf Bar products last week, telling FDA border inspectors to hold packages containing such goods. The previous week, the FDA ordered manufacturers of Breeze and Esco Bar disposables to cease U.S. sales.
Members of Congress, tobacco control groups, and the massive cigarette company R.J. Reynolds—which sells Vuse e-cigarettes—have put pressure on the FDA to take action against flavored and disposable vape products. Since the FDA began enforcing regulations on flavored pod and cartridge-based vapes in 2020, disposables have become increasingly popular.
The FDA has only approved eight vaping devices, all of which are produced by companies that are owned by large tobacco companies. All of the devices also come with tobacco flavor refills. None of the eight are well-liked, and one (the Vuse Ciro) was canceled due to low sales. The EPA hasn't approved any bottled e-liquids or a single product in a taste other than tobacco.
In federal court, dozens of vape makers are contesting the FDA's authorization procedure.
