Sales of e-cigarettes have experienced a significant increase of nearly 50% over the past three years, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published in their Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The data, gathered by a market research firm, shows a rise from 15.5 million in January 2020 to 22.7 million in December 2022.
The CDC’s analysis also revealed that calls to poison control centers related to young children ingesting or inhaling e-cigarette vapor have doubled compared to previous years, as reported by the Food and Drug Administration in a separate study published by the CDC.
Fatma Romeh, lead author of the CDC’s market analysis, emphasized that the increase in e-cigarette sales was driven by the popularity of non-tobacco flavored options, such as menthol, which dominates the prefilled cartridge market, and fruit and candy flavors, which lead the disposable e-cigarette market. Romeh referred to data from the National Youth Tobacco Survey, published last year, which showed that more than 8 in 10 middle and high school students who used e-cigarettes preferred flavored varieties.
The top five e-cigarette brands nationwide in 2022 included Vuse, JUUL, and NJOY, with disposable vape makers Elf Bar and Breeze Smoke displacing Puff and My Blu. These sales trends reflect the rapid fluctuations in the e-cigarette market, as demonstrated by the surge in youth e-cigarette use primarily driven by JUUL in 2017 and 2018.
While e-cigarette sales have seen a recent decline starting in May 2022, they still remain significantly higher compared to pre-COVID-19 levels. This decline can be attributed to various factors, including efforts by health authorities to restrict the sales of flavored nicotine products.
At the federal level, the Food and Drug Administration has taken numerous steps to curb the sales of unauthorized e-cigarettes and has recently undertaken a nationwide retailer inspection blitz to crack down on illegal sales. Some state and local governments have also implemented restrictions on flavored e-cigarette sales, with a Massachusetts statewide ban resulting in a 94% decrease in sales of flavored vapes.
The decrease in overall sales may also be influenced by the proliferation of large format disposable e-cigarettes, which offer higher or stronger doses. It is important to note that the sales data analyzed by the CDC is limited to traditional brick-and-mortar retailers, potentially overlooking sales from online orders or specialty vape shops.
Furthermore, the FDA’s report highlighted a concerning increase in calls to poison control centers due to potential poisonings by e-cigarettes. The data revealed that around 9 in 10 cases involved children under 5 years old, with most cases involving inhalation or ingestion of vape liquid. The FDA emphasized the importance of proper storage of e-liquids and urged the public to safeguard nicotine products from children and pets.
In conclusion, the CDC’s analysis provides valuable insights into the significant growth of e-cigarette sales, the impact of flavored options, and the concerning increase in poison control calls. Efforts by health authorities, both at the federal and state levels, aim to address these issues and protect the well-being of youth and the general public.
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