Illicit Nicotine Pouches From China

Floor Speech

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Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss an increasingly alarming problem facing America's public health, which is the flow of unregulated illicit nicotine pouch products. These illicit products, most of which are coming from China, avoid FDA regulation, confusing adult consumers seeking safer alternatives and retailers, and muddying the waters for manufacturers that are following the rules.

While enforcement action has largely focused on e-cigarettes, the Food and Drug Administration has paid little attention to illicit Chinese nicotine pouches and enforcing the rules--especially when the foreign manufacturer failed to apply for FDA authorization.

Congress established the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products to regulate the tobacco and nicotine market. But the FDA has failed to determine which nicotine pouch products should remain available or be removed, making it difficult for retailers and consumers to know what to do.

The FDA must follow the science. By doing so, the FDA will authorize nicotine pouch products that are appropriate for the protection of public health and stem the flow of illicit products coming in from China.

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