Black market concerns emerge as FDA bans flavored vaping cartridges

FT. WRIGHT, Ky. (WKRC) - As the Food and Drug Administration cracks down on flavored vaping products, there are new concerns a ban on mint, dessert and fruit-flavored cartridges may create a black market.

In an effort to curb the appeal of vaping to children, the FDA gave manufacturers 30 days to stop making and selling flavored vaping cartridges. The ban brings a sigh of relief for Jay Armstrong.

“It’s significantly better than what it could've been and what we feared last week,” said Armstrong, who works at Dripwell Vapors in Ft. Wright, Kentucky.

The ban will not affect Dripwell because they don’t sell mint, fruit or dessert-flavored cartridges, but Armstrong wonders if the new ban will create a black market.

“They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and this guidance looks like the intentions are good, but the question is what are the unintended consequences? Because immediately you're creating a black market. There's already black market Juul pods out there,” said Armstrong.

Clinical psychologist David Baum agrees.

“It’s not like kids are going to stop and say, 'Well, this is obviously bad for me. I need to stop doing this,'” said Dr. Baum. “But they are likely to continue to get them through the dark web or other means."

Dr. Baum treats teenagers with substance abuse disorders at ASAP (Adolescent Substance Abuse Programs, Inc.) Cincinnati. He says the best method to stop teens from vaping is more education and early intervention.

“There are lots of concerns around vaping and how it may or may not serve as a bridge towards other substance use. But, hopefully, it does deter some kids from giving it a try,” said Dr. Baum.

In late December, President Donald Trump also signed a law raising the minimum age to purchase all tobacco and vaping products from 18 to 21 nationwide.

“The problem is that they've been reactive instead of proactive. They've been talking about big bans instead of focusing on things,” said Armstrong.

Armstrong says policymakers need to shift their focus if they really want to crack down on teen vaping.

"The high nicotine is what you would want to target. The FDA could just do enforcement. You don't have to ban a product to keep it out of the hands of kids. You just don't,” said Armstrong.