TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — The Florida Retail Federation warned retailers on Tuesday about illegal, potentially dangerous disposable vaping products popping up in the marketplace.
According to data from manufacturers of nicotine dispensing vaping products, Florida is now the number one state in the U.S. for illicit black market products. Most of the devices, which may contain deadly fentanyl, are manufactured in China’s Shenzhen “Vaping District.”
In 2019, 83 percent of all U.S. seizures involving fake, black market vaping imports originated from China or Hong Kong.
A CONSUMER WARNING
Florida’s Attorney General Ashley Moody recently warned Floridians in a consumer alert video that deadly fentanyl and other toxic substances are finding their way into black market vaping products.
“We’re also seeing news stories about high school students suffering from complications after using vapes that might contain fentanyl… Any substance sold on the black market could contain fentanyl… Using just one time can kill,” Moody warned in the alert.
RETAILERS URGED TO CHECK INVENTORY
The Florida Retail Federation is warning retailers to be on high alert for any fake or illegal products that may make their way to store shelves due to the lack of federal enforcement at U.S. ports of entry.
“At a time when federal Customs and Border Protection authorities are already stretched thin at the Southern border of the United States with Mexico, there has been an obvious lack of illicit product seizures by federal enforcement authorities at U.S. Ports of Entry,” the The Florida Retail Federation said in a statement.
“This lack of enforcement or product seizures over the last year stands in stark contrast to the increased flow of illicit, disposable vaping products imported from China over that same time period,” the statement said.
Illegal disposable vaping products sold in Florida account for $363 million in annual sales – 20 percent above the national average, according to the The Florida Retail Federation. The group also encouraged retailers to monitor the FDA’s “Red List” of illicit products banned in the United States.
