Member Spotlight: National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO)

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 focuses on compliance, advocacy, and education to support adult consumers while upholding regulatory standards.

NATO has been urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expedite Premarket Tobacco Product Application (PMTA) reviews and grant more marketing authorizations for vapor products and nicotine pouches, noting that right now, the lack of authorizations is fueling the illicit market.

This month, NATO co-signed a letter urging the White House for action from the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products (CTP), with executive director David Spross adding, “Because of the lack of product approvals, it’s created this huge environment for the illicit vapor disposables to influx the market. What we wanted was increased enforcement from the FDA, more transparency from CTP on what they’re doing for enforcement and as it relates to the PMTA process.”

NATO has also supported recent crackdowns on authorized and illegal imports that are overrunning the overall vapor market. NATO opposes overly restrictive measures that could lead to economic harm and further fuel the black market. Instead, NATO supports science-based policies that embrace innovation, provide transparency and help fulfill the promise of the Tobacco Control Act.

Follow all the latest from NATO on X @NATOTradeAssoc.