The White House announced today that it has temporarily dropped its planned ban on menthol cigarettes. The ban was initially proposed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in April 2022, with the intended deadline of August 2023. In October 2023, the FDA sent final rules to the White House Office of Management and…
Envisioning the Tobacco Customer in Five Years
The 2023 National Youth Tobacco Study is important for the data it reports and notable for what it leaves out. The study is produced annually by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It’s straight-up statistical data on tobacco use by 6th through 12th graders. They’ve left it for others to figure out the…
FDA Seeks Civil Money Penalties From 22 Retailers
The Food and Drug Administration has issued civil money complaints (CMPs) against 20 brick and mortar retailers and two online retailers for the sale of unauthorized e-cigarettes and tobacco products. The CMPs were geared specifically to retailers selling Elf Bar products. The FDA previously issued warning letters against the retailers and deemed that they had…
FDA Issues MDOs for 65 E-Cigarettes
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued marketing denial orders (MDO) for 65 disposable e-cigarettes to Shenzhen Yibo Technology Co. Ltd. The e-cigarettes, which received the MDOs on April 15, are marketed as “MNGO Disposable Stick.” The products in the denial orders include flavors such as tobacco, menthol, pink lemonade, strawberry mango, watermelon freeze, iced…
FDA Issues Warning Letters, Civil Money Penalty Complaints for Underage ZYN Sales
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued 119 warning letters and filed 41 civil money penalty complaints against brick and mortar retailers for the underage sale of ZYN nicotine pouches. The agency has also issued warning letters to three online retailers for the sale of unauthorized, flavored ZYN nicotine pouches, including Espressino, Black Cherry,…
Navigating Tobacco Backbar Trends
The tobacco category remains in the spotlight at c-stores as the industry grapples with marketing denial orders (MDO) for vape products and braces for pending rules from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) around menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. “Regulations continue to challenge the tobacco industry in 2024,” said Tim Greene, director of tobacco and…
Navigating the Tricky Waters of the Tobacco Category
As retailers continue to await legislation and clear guidelines from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it is more important than ever to stay informed and up to date on the current state of the tobacco category. Recently, CStore Decisions caught up with industry professionals in an exclusive webinar that discussed the topic. Presenters included…
FDA Publishes List of Legally Marketable Tobacco Products
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched a new Searchable Tobacco Products Database — a user-friendly list of tobacco and e-cigarette products that may be legally marketed in the U.S. “The database is designed to serve the public — especially retailers — by providing this key information in a single location, with easy-to-use search…
Senators Issue Warning Letters to 22 Retailers/Wholesalers for Sale of Unauthorized Vape Products
Earlier this month, five U.S. senators, led by Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), issued warning letters to 22 major retailers and distributors for the sale of allegedly unauthorized vape products. Other senators involved in the issuing of the letters include Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Richard Blumenthal (D-Ct.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). The…
Smoker Friendly Acquires 54 Low Bob’s Stores
Boulder, Colo-based retailer Smoker Friendly has completed the acquisition of Richmond-Master Distributors Inc., adding 54 Low Bob’s stores in Indiana to its existing footprint in the state. Smoker Friendly now operates 80 stores throughout Indiana. “We are very pleased to welcome the Low Bob’s team to the Smoker Friendly family,” said Terry Gallagher Jr., president…