Before you start to panic, there are already activist groups working on behalf of vaping manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers, as well as the vaping community, to encourage Congressional leaders and/or the courts that the FDA’s regulations and deadline date in 2018 should not be allowed.
The FDA’s regulations of the vaping industry has been expected for some time. The outcome of challenged regulations will ultimately come down to how Congress and the courts view the FDA’s involvement and practices regarding vaping products and devices. With the upcoming election in November, it is important for people to register and vote for candidates who oppose heavy regulation of the vaping industry by the FDA.
Currently, the FDA views vaping products as being considered a tobacco product or consisting of products that could be used with tobacco products, giving them the right to regulate the industry, much like the tobacco industry. The new regulations rolled out on August 8, 2016 will affect manufacturers, retailers, and vapers alike. It is essential to understand how these changes will impact you and what they will mean in regards to the future of vaping.
Sales Restrictions
Both brick-and-mortar and online retailers must comply with new sales restrictions and cannot sell vaping products, vape kits, box mods, vape coils, and so on, to anyone under the age of 18. Retailers must also confirm the identity of customers using various age verification methods. For in person sales, ID must be provided for anyone who appears like they might be under 27 years old. Online retailers must integrate age verification processes, and simply checking a box that you agree you are at least 18 is not allowed.
Restrictions on New Products
The FDA regulations prevent any new products from being released on the market starting on August 8, 2016. In order to release new products, a manufacturer must follow prescribed regulatory processes and obtain FDA approval prior to their release. Any products released prior to this date can continue to be sold. However, manufacturers are prohibited from making any updates, modifications, or changes to existing product lines, including eliquids and ejuices.
Customizations of Products
Customizations of vaping devices by consumers is still allowed, so long as existing product lines are being used to create the device. Retailers are not permitted to create new custom devices for consumers, as this would result in the manufacture of a new product. Nor can retailers mix ejuices and eliquids under the new regulations, since this would imply the retailer was also a manufacturer. However, retailers are still allowed to provide education, make suggestion on vaping setups, and other verbal instructions, but cannot physically build, alter, or modify devices.
Please feel free to continue reading about the new regulations in Part 2 of this two part blog segment. Do not hesitate to contact Select Vape at 714-884-0412 for ordering assistance or other vaping questions.
