The survey comes as lawmakers are poised to consider bills (SB 1006/HB 1007) that would require vape manufacturers to register with the state and prove they’re complying with federal and Florida laws regulating nicotine delivery devices.
Florida is the top state for vape sales according to data from the Florida Retail Federation. By extension, the Sunshine State is also a hot spot for illegal vape sales. Legal vape manufacturers estimated illicit sales would top $363 million in 2023 — 20% above the national average — and account for as much as 58% of overall vape product sales.
Most illegal vapes come from China, with the epicenter of the illicit trade being in Shenzhen, which is known as the country’s “vaping district.”
More than half of voters (55%) said they were unaware of the problem and a similar number (58%) said they didn’t know that disposable vapes aren’t subject to the FDA ban on flavored products, which targets cartridge-based e-cigarettes.
Still, nearly seven in 10 voters told Cygnal that they had an unfavorable view of China, meaning anything related to China is a negative to voters, while 52% said they don’t like vape shops. A majority (57%) also said they wanted the state to pass legislation similar to SB 1006/HB 1007.
- New polling from Cygnal.
