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London, February 24, 2025 – Private retail sales data reviewed by Reuters indicates that sales of unauthorized, flavoured disposable vapes in the United States totaled around $2.4 billion in 2024.
The figures, representing about 35% of the e-cigarette sales from convenience stores and supermarkets, mark a significant portion of the overall vape market, according to market research firm Circana.
The data shows that while the unauthorised market shrank from $3.2 billion in 2023 to $2.4 billion in 2024 - and from $2.8 billion in 2022 - it still remains a major segment within a broader $6.8 billion market tracked by Circana. The firm’s analysis, which covered approximately 11,000 unauthorised flavoured disposable e-cigarette products across hundreds of brands, does not capture sales made online, in independent stores, or in specialty vape outlets.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized only 34 tobacco- or menthol-flavoured vape products for legal sale, all produced by major tobacco companies such as British American Tobacco and Altria. By contrast, the unauthorised market features a wide range of flavours - from "cookie and cloud" to "magic cotton candy"- underscoring the appeal of these products to consumers despite regulatory restrictions.
Industry sources have noted that the data on disposable vapes is preliminary and subject to revisions, with previous estimates for 2024 having been adjusted upward. Despite a reported 25% contraction in sales of flavoured disposable vapes compared to 2023, key industry players suggest that the overall U.S. vape market expanded by 30% this year, driven entirely by illicit products. Altria CEO Billy Gifford highlighted this trend during a conference on February 19.
The figures also reflect the impact of regulatory efforts, as top-selling labels such as Esco Bars and Elf Bars fell out of the top 10 most sold devices in 2024 after the FDA blocked their imports in 2023. Other brands have since risen to fill the void.
As authorities continue to crack down on unauthorised products, the data provides a rare glimpse into the scale of the illicit vape market in the U.S., highlighting both its significant economic footprint and the challenges facing regulators in curbing the sale of non-compliant products.

Russia’s human rights commissioner, Tatyana Moskalkova, has said that Ukraine has not provided Moscow with a list of thousands of children it alleges were taken illegally to Russia, despite the issue being discussed during talks in Istanbul.
Iranian authorities have seized a foreign tanker carrying more than 6 million litres of smuggled fuel in the Sea of Oman, detaining all 18 crew members on board.
An explosive device found in a vehicle linked to one of the alleged attackers in Bondi shooting has been secured and removed according to Police. The incident left 12 people dead.
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Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has offered condolences to President Donald Trump following an ISIS attack near the ancient city of Palmyra that killed two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter, Syrian and U.S. officials said Sunday.
Iran has rolled out changes to how fuel is priced at the pump. The move is aimed at managing demand without triggering public anger.
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The U.S. Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) cut its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to a range of 3.50% to 3.75% following its two-day policy meeting, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday, 10 December.
China has carried out a major test of a new “super wireless” rail convoy, a technology that could reshape the future of heavy-haul transport.
Paramount Skydance (PSKY.O) has launched a $108.4 billion hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros Discovery (WBD.O). The escalation follows a high-stakes battle that had appeared to end last week when Netflix secured a $72 billion deal for the studio giant’s assets.
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