Vaping Directories Expand to Oklahoma, Louisiana
More states join Alabama in requiring FDA compliance for inclusion in ENDS registries
OKLAHOMA CITY and BATON ROUGE, La. – Oklahoma and Louisiana are joining Alabama in implementing directories of electronic nicotine delivery systems or ENDS that retailers can lawfully sell.
Alabama initiated such a registration process last year, and this October, Oklahoma officials debuted a similar directory. Louisiana is scheduled to start implementation of its directory program in November, according to Vaping 360.
In the Oklahoma program, laws prohibit sales of products that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have not authorized for sale through its premarket tobacco application (PMTA) process. Compliant manufacturers can still market products that are undergoing the FDA’s scientific review process, according to the agency’s original guidance.
For Oklahoma, manufacturers must attest that their products were available for sale before Aug. 1, 2016 (when the FDA’s Deeming Rule took effect), which is an element of FDA compliance. Manufacturers also needed to submit a PMTA for each product before the FDA’s Sept. 8, 2020, deadline and must notify Oklahoma authorities within 30 days of any change in their product’s authorization status.
For manufacturers prioritizing compliance with FDA regulations, the goals behind such state directories align, according to officials at Bidi Vapor, LLC, Melbourne, Fla. In 2022, Bidi Vapor announced its support for Alabama’s program, saying it was a way to identify compliant suppliers.
“Alabama’s new directory will identify manufacturers who are following the regulatory process set by the [FDA],” said Niraj Patel, founder and CEO of Bidi Vapor in 2022. “We encourage other states to follow the path that Alabama has taken … so retailers and distributors know what they are permitted to sell.”
ABOUT BIDI VAPOR
Based in Melbourne, Florida, Bidi Vapor maintains a commitment to responsible, adult-focused marketing, supporting age-verification standards and sustainability through its BIDI® Cares recycling program. Bidi Vapor’s premier device, the BIDI® Stick, is a premium product made with high-quality components, a UL-certified battery and technology designed to deliver a consistent vaping experience for adult smokers 21 and over.
