ICYMI: NATO Outlines Vision For 2026, Membership In Regulate Smarter

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 (FDA). Noting that “FDA product reviews take years, many of which are still without resolution,” Spross writes, “since 2009, applications for over 26 million tobacco and nicotine products have been filed, with the agency having only authorized less than 100 products. FDA has left these consumers with far too few authorized choices, making them vulnerable to a marketplace of products that are illegal and potentially unsafe.”

Spross goes on to highlight Regulate Smarter and NATO’s shared commitment to addressing this imbalance, “not just through the sustained enforcement activities, but also by increasing the ability for adult consumers to purchase FDA authorized products.”

As the only national nonprofit trade association dedicated to protecting and advancing the business interests of tobacco and nicotine retailers, NATO focuses on compliance, advocacy, and education to support adult consumers while upholding regulatory standards. They have members in retail, wholesale, and manufacturing in the tobacco and nicotine product sectors, and the organization was featured in a recent “Member Spotlight” right here on the official Regulate Smarter web site.

CSP Magazine is the premier trade publication dedicated to the convenience store and petroleum retailing industry in the United States. Launched over 20 years ago, the magazine provides in-depth coverage of emerging trends, insights, and practical solutions to help industry professionals navigate challenges like technological advancements, sustainability, and market disruptions.

You can read the entire article here.