The eJuices.co team hopes you have had a wonderful and safe holiday season. We are looking forward to seeing what will happen in the world of vape in 2021. What are we expecting in 2021 for vape? With a lot of surprises happening at the end of 2020, the eJuices.co team is forecasting what will happen in 2021.
Flavor Bans Will Be Decided At The Ballot Box
California’s decision to send vaping to the ballot box may resonate in other states as well. By bringing the issue to the voters rather than flavor bans via executive order, those on both sides of the issue might have a chance to speak openly about vaping. While both sides have agreed on a few issues such as not selling to those under the age of 21, there are other issues at hand that both sides are very far apart on, such as the presence of flavors.
FDA Enforcement Will Still Be Unclear
As of this writing, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is still reviewing PMTAs that were submitted on or before September 9, 2020. Without a list of approved vape products that can be sold, FDA enforcement of these laws will be unclear. As of this writing, it is also unknown who will be the new FDA commissioner. While some members of Congress have pushed for a list of approved vape products, the FDA’s response to COVID-19 has greatly overshadowed other priorities in the agency.
The Vape Mail Ban Could Induce Panic Buying
Online retailers should be mindful that the USPS banning vape mail will significantly affect the industry in early 2021. The USPS has 120 days to implement their ban, while the PACT Act provisions take place in 90 days. While this will be different from the buying patterns we saw in September 2019 and during the COVID-19 pandemic in March and April 2020, the likelihood of taking advantage of lower prices before the USPS and FedEx bans is very high.
Harm Reduction Will Be A Hot Topic In Congress
Congress has a lot to learn about harm reduction—and 2021 may be the year to do so. While it is difficult to predict where politicians lie on vape (or any issue in general), methods of harm reduction may come up in Congress as flavor bans and vape mail bans are discussed. Democrats, who tend to oppose vaping, have smaller margins in Congress entering 2021, which means vapers have the chance to make their voice heard come the 2022 midterms. As of this writing, two Senate seats in Georgia have yet to be decided.
The increased regulations on the vaping industry means more opportunities to take action. This could also ripple into regulatory agencies such as the FDA. The new FDA commissioner (if there is one) will have their hands full with the COVID-19 response as well. The topic of harm reduction is a vital step forward for Congress and they should take it seriously given that 2022 is closer than one might think.
That’s all for the latest State of Vape. We will keep you updated on any further developments in the industry. If you have any questions or concerns, you can always contact your eJuices.co account manager or sales representative.