Tobacco companies, such as British American Tobacco, are pushing President Donald Trump's administration to take action against illicit vaping products by urging import bans on Chinese-made devices, according to records and industry experts.

These companies have raised concerns that while they have been waiting for their vaping products to receive approval for sale in the U.S., unauthorized vape manufacturers have managed to gain a significant market share despite being deemed illegal. The prevalence of these unauthorized disposable vapes, estimated at 70% of U.S. vape sales by BAT, has impacted the sales of legitimate tobacco company vapes and cigarettes.

The tobacco companies are hopeful that the Trump administration will address these issues, with Reynolds American, a subsidiary of BAT, proposing import bans on Chinese-made disposable vapes and potential tariffs on other Chinese e-cigarettes and smoking alternatives. These companies argue that Chinese firms engage in unfair trade practices that harm U.S. businesses.

The companies are seeking more rigorous enforcement of regulations concerning vapes and smoking alternatives to safeguard their market positions amid declining tobacco use in the U.S. They support a faster and more transparent authorization process from the FDA, but they are cautious about broader regulatory changes that could spur the growth of unauthorized vaping products.

Tobacco and vape companies are actively engaging with U.S. officials to advocate for policy changes that align with their interests. The industry consultants stress that these efforts are crucial for influencing regulatory decisions in the sector.