TALLAHASSEE, Fla. \u2014 U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody is pressing President Donald Trump\u2019s nominee to lead the Food and Drug Administration to crack down on illicit vaping products, including devices she says are coming from China and designed to attract children.<\/p>\n
But for Florida retailers, deciding what can legally reach store shelves means navigating both federal and state systems.<\/p>\n
During a Senate confirmation hearing Thursday, Moody questioned FDA commissioner nominee Dr. Heidi Overton about enforcement against unauthorized vaping products.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t know what is in them,\u201d Moody said. \u201cWe know that they\u2019re specifically designed to be attractive to kids.\u201d<\/p>\n
Moody pointed specifically to devices incorporating features such as games. Her office says she wants stronger federal action against illicit nicotine products entering the United States from China.<\/p>\n
FDA records illustrate<\/a> the divide between the number of vaping products available to consumers and those that have received federal authorization.<\/p>\n The agency says just 48 e-cigarette products are currently authorized to be lawfully sold in the United States. FDA cautions that authorization does not mean those products are safe or \u201cFDA approved.\u201d All tobacco products carry risks and can be addictive.<\/p>\n Florida has created another layer of regulation aimed specifically at disposable nicotine devices considered attractive to minors.<\/p>\n FOX49 analyzed the Florida Attorney General\u2019s current Nicotine Dispensing Device Directory<\/a> and counted 640 products on the list.<\/p>\n State law allows regulators to consider characteristics including bright colors, cartoon characters, food or candy branding, concealability and other features that may uniquely appeal to minors when determining whether a device belongs on the directory.<\/p>\n Florida has also stepped up enforcement.<\/p>\n