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EXCLUSIVE: Chinese-made nicotine and electronic cigarette products flooded U.S. markets during the previous administration, endangering both adults and children. This posed a serious threat to U.S. sovereignty, public health, and law enforcement capacity, according to former GOP senator Richard Burr, who is an advocate for nicotine awareness.
In an interview with a digital news outlet, Burr highlighted the issue of illegal nicotine products entering the U.S. market from China. Despite crackdowns on well-known companies like Juul, the flow of unauthorized products remained unchecked due to lack of enforcement at the border.
“The Biden administration failed to enforce the law at the border, allowing the illegal products to thrive,” Burr stated. “They not only turned a blind eye to the issue but also made no effort to address it.”
Burr also criticized the director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) during the Biden administration, Brian King, for overseeing an agency that failed to regulate the influx of illegal products into the market.
However, a spokesperson for King disputed Burr’s claims, stating that enforcement efforts were indeed made to address the issue.
Burr estimated that around 85% of vapor and e-cigarette products currently sold in the U.S. are unauthorized, attributing this to the FDA’s failure to enforce regulations.
He is now urging the current administration to take action to rectify the situation by implementing stricter regulations and cracking down on entities responsible for the illicit market.
In a letter to the FDA commissioner and other officials, Burr emphasized the need to address the crisis caused by the influx of illegal nicotine products, particularly those from China.
He called for a comprehensive regulatory framework to be put in place to ensure the safety of consumers and prevent underage use of such products.
Speaking about the issue, Burr emphasized the importance of protecting children and promoting a healthier lifestyle.
Overall, the focus is on restoring order in the marketplace and safeguarding public health.
Chinese-made nicotine and electronic cigarette products illegally flooded U.S. markets under former President Joe Biden, endangering both adults and children and posing an “urgent threat to U.S. sovereignty, public health, and law enforcement capacity,” according to nicotine awareness activist and former GOP senator Richard Burr. (Bonnie Cash/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images and iStock)
“The FDA and other agencies should build on these efforts and take comprehensive enforcement action against illegal e-cigarettes, particularly those popular among youth,” said the spokesperson.
It remains to be seen how the current administration will respond to these concerns and work towards resolving the issue of illegal nicotine products in the U.S. market.
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“This is at the heart of that,” Burr said.
