Regulate Smarter commends U.S. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) for introducing the Eliminating Nefarious Distribution of Smuggled Chinese Vapes Act, or the ENDS Chinese Vapes Act. This legislation takes direct aim at the flood of unauthorized, illicit vapes pouring into the United States from Communist China, evading U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversight and overwhelming communities with products that pose serious risks to public health—especially to underage users draw

Coalition outlines four specific recommendations to help eliminate the illicit tobacco and nicotine product market as part of the broader effort to combat unfair foreign trade practices and protect American manufacturers, workers, and consumers WASHINGTON, D.C. – In public comments submitted to the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Coalition for Smarter Regulation of Nicotine (Regulate Smarter) outlined four specific recommendations to account for the multi-b

In case you missed it, this spring has been marked by at least three key encouraging developments in the tobacco harm reduction debate. First, the 2025 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) data show not only youth cigarette smoking at a historically low 1.4%, but also youth vaping at its lowest level in a decade, a reduction of 74% from its peak. As Cliff Douglas, a longtime public health advocate, wrote in a must read article titled, “ From Crisis to Progress: What the 2025

Ahead of next month’s U.S.-China trade summit, Coalition reinforces need for strengthened enforcement against Chinese vapes flooding U.S. communities and endangering national security & public health WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, former U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), chairman of the Coalition for Smarter Regulation of Nicotine (Regulate Smarter), issued the following statement praising 71 lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives for urging U.S. Department of Treasury

Regulate Smarter remains committed to working alongside FDA toward common sense policies that provide adult consumers reduced harm products while stemming the influx of illicit nicotine products from China targeting underage users WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, former U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), chairman of the Coalition for Smarter Regulation of Nicotine (Regulate Smarter), issued the following statement in response to draft guidance issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Adm

Recorded at the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, D.C., wide ranging conversation lays bare real-life consequences, including dangers to youth, increased cartel violence and peril to communities and law enforcement WASHINGTON, D.C. – A recent episode of Straight Talk On Your Honor , the talk show and podcast hosted by Patrick Montuore, a retired New Jersey police chief and founder of the Police Unity Tour, featured a powerful and knowledgeable panel of guests

Coalition sounds the alarm on bad actors filling the market with illicit alternatives, jeopardizing national security and threatening public safety WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, former U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), chairman of the Coalition for Smarter Regulation of Nicotine (Regulate Smarter), issued the following statement highlighting the continued need for action from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in response to recent reports linking the illicit nicotine p

A must-read piece from The Floridian highlights recent efforts by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. to crack down on the illicit Chinese nicotine product market. Earlier this month, Reynolds urged the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to investigate alleged unlawful practices by the Chinese-based Heaven Gifts International—the parent company of brands like Elf Bar and Geek Bar— that designs, manufactures, and distributes electronic cigarettes across the globe. None of the

A powerful must-watch investigation conducted by WHAM-TV , the Rochester, NY affiliate of ABC, lays bare the real-life consequences of the illicit nicotine market. The piece not only distinguishes between regulated and unregulated products, but it makes the case for stepped-up enforcement efforts, and, importantly, the need for increased authorizations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide more legal and regulated products for adult consumers. In the expo

The multi-agency task force led by the Department of Justice and the Food and Drug Administration is a critical tool that will strengthen and enhance long term enforcement efforts against the illicit vapor crisis; and FDA must act to authorize new nicotine product alternatives to combat the flow of illicit nicotine products into the U.S. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, former U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), chairman of the Coalition for Smarter Regulation of Nicotine (Regulate

In a recent column for CSP Magazine , David Spross, the executive director of the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO), discussed not only his organization’s membership in the Regulate Smarter coalition, but also our shared policy objectives for the year ahead. After praising the Trump Administration’s crackdown on the illicit nicotine market as “a welcome change of pace,” Spross zeroes in on the delayed authorization process at the Food and Drug Administration (

Richard Burr: “There is a responsibility on the part of FDA to actually begin to do their job at CTP and to provide adult consumers with more choices that are approved on the retail shelf” WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a wide-ranging conversation on the Fox News R undown podcast, former U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), chairman of the Coalition for Smarter Regulation of Nicotine (Regulate Smarter), urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to “approve more products”

Welcome to the latest edition of Regulate Smarter’s “Member Spotlight,” a weekly segment where we go in-depth on the priorities and background of our members. This week, we look at the Southern Association of Wholesale Distributors , also known as the Southern. Established in 1922 and headquartered in Georgia, The Southern is a regional trade association representing the interests of corporations and individuals involved in the manufacturing, sales, and distribution of conven

Chairman Richard Burr commends Trump Administration’s meaningful enforcement action to combat the illicit nicotine market, urges acceleration of authorizations so adults seeking legal, smoke-free alternatives have more options WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a guest op-ed for The Washington Times , former U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), chairman of the Coalition for Smarter Regulation of Nicotine (Regulate Smarter), praised early enforcement actions by the Trump Administration cra

Welcome to the latest edition of Regulate Smarter’s “Member Spotlight,” a weekly segment where we go in-depth on the priorities and background of our members. This week, we look at the Northeast Wholesalers Association (NEWA), the regional trade association representing the interests of corporations and individuals involved in the manufacturing, sales, and distribution of convenience products across the 11 states that make up the Northeast: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Mary

The bipartisan government funding legislation includes $200 million of dedicated tobacco user fees for enforcement activities related to illicit e-cigarettes, vapes, and other electronic nicotine delivery systems alongside authorities to destroy illegal products WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, former U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), chairman of the Coalition for Smarter Regulation of Nicotine (Regulate Smarter), praised the funding to combat the illicit nicotine crisis and new des

In a new letter to U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary, U.S. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) highlighted the importance of not only increased enforcement but also additional authorization of smoke-free products. This approach is in line with the priorities of Regulate Smarter, and a welcome step from a leading lawmaker. Cotton urged immediate action “to curb distribution of illicit Chinese e-cigarettes” while also “increas[ing] the number of regulated Ameri

New AEI report outlines 15 reforms that FDA should take – authors urge approach that focuses on increased enforcement and authorization to address illicit nicotine market & meet growing demand without changes to law WASHINGTON, D.C. – Highlighting the “significant public health opportunity for millions of cigarette smokers to switch to far safer alternatives,” a powerful and comprehensive white paper published by the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) outlines 15 practical

Welcome to the latest edition of Regulate Smarter’s “Member Spotlight,” a weekly segment where we go in-depth on the priorities and background of our members. This week, meet the New England Convenience Store & Energy Marketers Association (NECSEMA). Created by a merger of two organizations in 2015, the goal of NECSEMA is serving as a unified and influential voice for the convenience store and energy marketing industries in New England. Through advocacy, networking opportuni

Welcome to the latest edition of Regulate Smarter’s “Member Spotlight,” a weekly segment where we go in-depth on the priorities and background of our members. Up this week is the National Association of Tobacco Outlets , Inc. (NATO), the only national nonprofit trade association dedicated to protecting and advancing the business interests of tobacco and nicotine retailers. With members in retail, wholesale, and manufacturing in the tobacco and nicotine product sectors, NATO f