Illicit Nicotine Crackdown Sparks New Questions in Washington

Clear Facts

• Former Senator Richard Burr said federal regulators have slowed approval of legal nicotine products.
• The FDA has been criticized for missing its 180-day review timeline for some new products.
• Authorities seized 4.7 million unauthorized vape units worth $86.5 million in late 2025.

Former North Carolina Senator Richard Burr discussed the growing illicit nicotine market in the United States. He said federal agencies have failed to create a clear path for legal e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches.

Burr said the current regulatory environment distorts the marketplace. He argued that slow review decisions make it harder for adult consumers to access regulated alternatives.