According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), e-cigarette sales have experienced a significant increase of nearly 50% over the past three years. The sales figures have risen from 15.5 million in January 2020 to 22.7 million in December 2022. However, recent efforts to restrict the sale of flavored nicotine products have led to a recent decline in sales. It is worth noting that the surge in sales has primarily been driven by the popularity of non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes, such as menthol, fruit, and candy flavors.
Leading brands like Vuse, JUUL, and NJOY have maintained their positions as top sellers in the market, while Elf Bar and Breeze Smoke have experienced a rise in popularity. On the other hand, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reported a concerning doubling of calls to poison control centers regarding young children accidentally consuming or inhaling e-cigarette vapors.
An alarming statistic reveals that approximately 8 out of 10 middle and high school students who use e-cigarettes prefer flavored options. Although sales have started to decline since May 2022, they still remain higher than the levels observed in early 2020. It is possible that the decrease in sales is a result of a shift towards online or specialty shops, rather than an overall decline in demand.
A newly released FDA report highlights a total of 7,043 potential cases of e-cigarette-related poisonings, doubling the number reported in 2018. Most of these cases involve children under the age of 5. As a response, the FDA is urging the public to keep nicotine products out of the reach of children and pets. Additionally, the FDA is cautioning companies against creating e-liquids that mimic food products in order to avoid misleading children.
The rise in e-cigarette sales, accompanied by concerns regarding child-related poisonings and the appeal of flavored options among young users, continues to be an area of focus for regulatory bodies and public health officials.
