BAT CEO Hopes Trump Administration Tackles Illicit Vapes

As the vaping industry awaits the Trump administration's approach to regulating flavored e-cigarettes, British American Tobacco (BAT) CEO Tadeu Marroco is hopeful that the new administration will take a more lenient stance on the issue. In an interview with Alliance News, Marroco expressed his optimism that the Trump administration would provide a more favorable regulatory environment for the vaping industry, which has been grappling with strict regulations and a growing problem of illicit vapes.

The vaping industry has been facing significant challenges in recent years, with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) imposing strict regulations on e-cigarettes and flavored products. The industry has criticized the FDA's premarket tobacco marketing process, arguing that the agency's evaluation and pace of approvals are too slow and burdensome. The industry has also been concerned about the growing problem of illicit vapes, which are often marketed to minors and evade regulation.

Marroco believes that the Trump administration's focus on small businesses and consumer choice could translate into support for the vaping industry. He also noted that the industry is hoping for a more transparent process, more timely processing of applications, and better enforcement against non-compliant actors. The industry is also floating a tobacco product standard, which would establish guidelines for the authorization of products.

BAT, which owns the Vuse brand, has been investing in the US market and has been grappling with the challenges posed by illicit disposable vapes. The company has been working to address the concerns of stakeholders, such as underage access, appeal, product safety, and environmental impact, by launching a series of new industry-leading ambitions for its vapor devices. These ambitions include preventing underage access, enhancing product safety, and improving the circularity of its devices.

The Trump administration's approach to vaping regulation is still uncertain, and the outcome of the Supreme Court case (FDA v. Wages and White Lion Investments) could also influence BAT's market position. However, Marroco's optimism about the Trump administration's potential support for the vaping industry highlights the importance of regulatory clarity and enforcement in addressing the challenges posed by illicit vapes.




In conclusion, BAT CEO Tadeu Marroco is hopeful that the Trump administration will take a more lenient stance on vaping regulation, providing a more favorable regulatory environment for the industry. The company has been investing in the US market and working to address stakeholder concerns, and the Trump administration's focus on small businesses and consumer choice could translate into support for the vaping industry. However, the outcome of the Supreme Court case and the Trump administration's approach to vaping regulation remain uncertain, and BAT will need to continue working with regulators to maintain and grow its market position.