Comprehensive Report Documents Regulatory Capture, Revolving Door Practices, and Questionable Approval Process at Center for Tobacco Products

LAS VEGAS, NV - October 30, 2025 - A comprehensive investigation published today reveals what researchers are calling one of the most significant cases of regulatory capture in modern American history, documenting how the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products—an agency entirely funded by traditional cigarette manufacturers—has systematically denied approval to safer vaping alternatives while fast-tracking products from Big Tobacco companies.

The report, published at SmokeshopLocator.com, presents extensively sourced evidence showing that of nearly 26 million e-cigarette products submitted to the FDA's Premarket Tobacco Application process, only 39 were approved—all owned by major tobacco companies including Philip Morris, British American Tobacco, and R.J. Reynolds.

Key Findings:

Funding Structure Creates Perverse Incentives: The FDA's Center for Tobacco Products operates on fees collected exclusively from traditional tobacco companies rather than e-cigarette manufacturers, creating what analysts describe as a structural conflict of interest where the agency's budget depends on continued cigarette sales.

Revolving Door Documentation: The investigation identifies multiple high-level FDA officials who shaped tobacco policy before joining the industry they regulated, including Matthew Holman (Director of the Office of Science at FDA CTP, joined Philip Morris), Roxana Weil (Lead Toxicologist at FDA CTP, joined Altria's Juul), and Perham Gorji (senior FDA tobacco lawyer, joined Philip Morris's law firm DLA Piper).

Changed Standards Mid-Process: In August 2021, the FDA announced it would deny approximately 55,000 applications for flavored e-cigarette products, suddenly demanding randomized control trials never previously required. When smaller manufacturers requested time to conduct these studies, the FDA denied their requests and rejected their applications.

Evidence of Harm from Restrictions: Research from Yale School of Public Health and other institutions documents that e-cigarette flavor restrictions increased cigarette sales by 20% in brands disproportionately used by underage smokers, while a 2025 study in JAMA Network Open found such restrictions "increased cigarette use among youths and young adults." Industry Lobbying for Competitor Restrictions: The investigation documents that Altria openly lobbied for vaping registry laws and "worked with legislatures in a number of states" to ban flavored vapor products. In a Wyoming legislative hearing, a state representative sponsoring a vaping restriction bill literally handed his microphone to two Altria lobbyists to present the legislation.

Youth Crisis Claims Contradicted: While regulatory crackdowns have been justified by claims of epidemic youth vaping, the FDA's own 2024 data shows youth e-cigarette use has dropped to its lowest level in a decade—from 20.1% in 2019 to 5.9% in 2024. Meanwhile, youth marijuana use (17% of high school students) remains nearly three times higher with minimal federal intervention.

The investigation notes that e-cigarettes are "around 95% safer than smoked tobacco" according to U.K. government research, with the FDA acknowledging on its own website that e-cigarettes are "generally a lower-risk alternative for cigarettes." Yet cigarette smoking causes more than 480,000 deaths annually in the United States.

"The science is clear that e-cigarettes exhibit reduced exposure to harmful toxins compared to traditional cigarettes," the report states, citing multiple peer-reviewed studies. "Yet the regulatory framework makes it easier to introduce a new cigarette to the market than an e-cigarette, nicotine pouch, or heated tobacco product."

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel investigated the FDA's tobacco review process in 2022 and found the agency "relaxed its standards of review for certain tobacco products and stifled attempts by its scientists to raise concerns."

British American Tobacco has acknowledged that cigarettes have "no long-term future," while Altria's CEO admitted that vapor products are "clearly the winner in the marketplace." The investigation argues that facing an extinction-level threat to their business model, major tobacco companies have used their funding relationship with the FDA and extensive lobbying apparatus to eliminate competitors offering safer alternatives.

The complete investigation, including extensive citations to government documents, court filings, academic research, and industry statements, is available at: https://smokeshoplocator.com/captured-big-tobacco-fda-vaping/

About SmokeshopLocator.com

SmokeshopLocator.com provides information and resources related to smoke shops, tobacco harm reduction, vaping products, and regulatory developments affecting the industry.

Media Contact: info@smokeshoplocator.com

Note to Editors: The full investigation includes citations to more than 40 primary sources including FDA documents, peer-reviewed academic studies, congressional testimony, court filings, and industry financial disclosures.

Media Contact
Company Name: Smoke Shop Locator
Contact Person: Scott Randle
Email: info@smokeshoplocator.com
Country: United States
Website: smokeshoplocator.com