Keeping an Eye on Vape, Cigars

Cigars in particular are a question mark with c-stores as they wait on the FDA to make a decision regarding a flavor ban this fall and how consumers might respond. Additionally, vape is constantly on retailers’ radars since FDA is still issuing marketing denial orders to brands and cracking down on those who sell and market those products.

The FDA served warning letters to 30 retail- ers in May for selling Puff and Hyde brand disposable e-cigarettes as part of a nationwide effort to halt the sale of unauthorized vape products. In June, FDA issued 180 warning letters to retailers for selling Elf Bar and Esco Bars e-cigarettes illegally.

“It’s getting tougher for our industry to survive; we need everyone to work together and overcome obstacles, such as government regulations, by getting involved with a form of advocacy,” said Lance Klatt, executive director of the Minnesota Service Station & Convenience Store Association.

Minnesota proposed a statewide ban of flavored tobacco in February, with some cities already having bans or restrictions on flavored tobacco in place.

Massachusetts was the first state to ban flavored tobacco, followed by California.