U.S. Fourth Circuit Court Rules North Carolina Can Ban Sale of FDA-Unapproved E-Cigarette Products

Jul.30.2025
U.S. Fourth Circuit Court Rules North Carolina Can Ban Sale of FDA-Unapproved E-Cigarette Products
The U.S. Fourth Circuit Court upheld North Carolina's right to ban the sale of FDA-unapproved e-cigarettes, rejecting an injunction request. Plaintiffs argued the state can't enforce FDA rules, but the state said halting the law would cause confusion. The case remains under review.

Key points:

 

·The court has ruled that the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in the United States has refused to issue an injunction, supporting North Carolina's ban on the sale of e-cigarettes. 

 

·The legal background is that North Carolina law prohibits the sale of e-cigarette products that have not been approved by the FDA, and this law went into effect at the end of June. 

 

·The plaintiffs, including the e-Cigarette Technology Association, argue that the state government does not have the authority to enforce FDA regulations, as this would encroach on federal powers. 

 

·The state government responded by stating that suspending the law would cause confusion, as stakeholders have already begun to comply with it. 

 

·The case is currently being heard at the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals under case number 25-1745.

 


 

【2Firsts News Flash】According to a report by Law360 on July 29th, the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals will not issue an injunction to block a North Carolina law that would prohibit the sale of e-cigarette products not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Prior to this decision, stakeholders in the e-cigarette industry had appealed a lower court's ruling rejecting the same injunction.

 

In a notice filed on July 28th, the court denied the plaintiff's motion, led by the e-cigarette Technology Association, to challenge the 2024 bill in Federal Court. The law, which came into effect at the end of June, grants North Carolina tax officials the power to impose fines on retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers of e-cigarettes that are sold without FDA authorization.

 

U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II denied their injunction request on June 27. In early July, the plaintiffs applied for an injunction to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, arguing that states cannot enforce FDA regulations because it would infringe on federal powers. The state responded last week, stating that halting the law would cause chaos as stakeholders have already begun to comply with it.

 

The case number is 25-1745 and is being reviewed by the United States Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

UK Vape Maker Riot Enters Clacton By-Election to Fight Government 'White Packaging' Proposals
UK Vape Maker Riot Enters Clacton By-Election to Fight Government 'White Packaging' Proposals
British e-liquid manufacturer Riot Labs has introduced a fictional “candidate” called Riot Man around the Clacton parliamentary by-election, seeking to mobilize consumers and retailers against parts of the UK government’s proposed restrictions on vape packaging, device appearance and retail displays. Riot Man is not listed as an official candidate.
Aug.12
EU ‘TPD3’ Enters Next Phase on Aug. 14 as Fragmented Vape and Nicotine Pouch Rules Push the Single Market Toward Regulatory Overhaul
EU ‘TPD3’ Enters Next Phase on Aug. 14 as Fragmented Vape and Nicotine Pouch Rules Push the Single Market Toward Regulatory Overhaul
A 12-week European Commission consultation on revising the Tobacco Products Directive and Tobacco Advertising Directive is due to close on Aug. 14, 2026. The Commission has identified e-cigarette flavours, disposable vapes, tobacco heating devices, nicotine pouches, nicotine-free e-cigarettes, packaging and digital marketing among areas for possible new EU rules. National regulations already vary significantly across the bloc, a fragmentation the Commission says creates internal-market barriers and distorts competition. No formal revised TPD/TAD legislative text has yet been published, with the Commission currently indicating December 2026 for the legislative initiative.
Aug.14
UK Councils Seize More Than 1.3 Million Non-Compliant Vapes One Year After Disposable Ban
UK Councils Seize More Than 1.3 Million Non-Compliant Vapes One Year After Disposable Ban
One year after the UK disposable vape ban came into force, local authorities continue to seize illegal and non-compliant vaping products. FOI data compiled by nicotine retailer Northerner shows more than 1.3 million products were seized between June 2025 and May 2026, with Bolton recording the highest number of seizures and Swansea reporting the highest estimated value.
Jul.21
China’s Jiangsu Tobacco Monopoly Bureau and Drug Regulator Target Illegal Vape Sales Disguised as Medical Devices, Define Six Violations
China’s Jiangsu Tobacco Monopoly Bureau and Drug Regulator Target Illegal Vape Sales Disguised as Medical Devices, Define Six Violations
China’s Jiangsu Tobacco Monopoly Bureau and Jiangsu Provincial Medical Products Administration have issued a joint notice targeting illegal production and sales of vape products disguised as medical devices. The notice identifies six categories of violations, including obtaining medical licenses through false materials, misusing medical device credentials, expanding production beyond approved scopes, and using medical device-related online platforms to promote or sell vape products. The action is based on China’s tobacco and medical device regulations and aims to strengthen vape oversight and consumer protection.
Aug.04
Philip Morris Romania Expands IQOS Boutique Network to 120 Locations With Retail 2.0 Store
Philip Morris Romania Expands IQOS Boutique Network to 120 Locations With Retail 2.0 Store
Philip Morris Romania has opened IQOS Boutique Victoriei in Bucharest, expanding the country’s IQOS retail network to 120 points of sale and advancing a Retail 2.0 concept that combines design, technology, interactive art and urban culture.
PMI
Jul.13
Haypp Report: Women Emerge as a Key Growth Driver in the UK Nicotine Pouch Market
Haypp Report: Women Emerge as a Key Growth Driver in the UK Nicotine Pouch Market
According to Haypp’s 2026 UK Nicotine Report, women are a key growth driver in the UK nicotine pouch market. Overall sales for Haypp and Northerner rose 60% year‑on‑year in 2025, but purchases by women surged 202%, versus 25% for men. Women’s share of consumers jumped from 22% to 40%. The report attributes this to discretion, perceived health benefits, and more gender‑neutral product positioning, suggesting future growth will come from a broader range of adult nicotine users.
Jul.01