Could The Deeming Regulations Actually Mean a Hike in Retail Sales?

Several years ago, the Obama Administration—through executive action—began regulating the sale of various types of firearm ammunition. Consequently, due to a prevailing fear among gun owners that the aforementioned ammo might either soon be in short supply or out of stock entirely, many shoppers began stockpiling ammunition. So, instead of regulation hindering the sale of ammunition—in the short term scheme of things—we actually saw a dramatic increase in overall purchasing. In fact, as reported by the Washington Post in 2015, ammunition sales in 2008–when President Obama was elected into office–were just under $4 billion annually. During the Obama era, we have seen ammunition sales skyrocket to over $8 billion, illustrating a 50% increase. Firearm sales have also seen a dramatic rise, and nearly every time the Obama Administration sounds off in favor of gun control rules and regulations a pattern has emerged of booming gun industry profits.

Enter the deeming regulation of vaping products. While it is without question that many of the FDA regulations will ultimately have an adverse impact on the industry, what transpires over the first several months might influence the owners of vape stores to spend massive amounts of money with e-liquid manufacturing companies to ensure they have exhausted as much of their resources as possible before the regulatory sphere interferes with their bottom line. In turn, consumer behavior will very likely be tantamount to gun owners who stockpiled ammunition in years past. Fear is a salient determinant of human behavior, and the fear of various regulatory compliance dates may be driving vape customers to your cash register. “People are leveraged by pleasure or pain. In the scenario of regulating vaping products, consumers will invariably uncover ways to safeguard their interests, even if it means spending more money.”

The worst case scenario would be this industry turning into a profitable black market akin to the prohibition of alcohol because the reality is vaping is not going anywhere. Alcohol was, at one time, banned by our Constitution. American citizens were not entirely keen on the idea of mandated sobriety, which is what drove the production and sale of alcohol into the hands of organized crime. Thus, alcohol went from being a highly regulated substance to no regulation at all whose price was often stained in blood money. Cash Vape President and CEO, Nathan Coccimiglio, has channeled concerns from many consumers who say they would resort to either do it yourself remedies or black market options should regulations eventually impose a de facto ban on vaping.

So, whether it’s ammo, alcohol, or e-liquid, regulation may not always affect the change regulatory agencies ostensibly seek to implement. Americans do not want to give up their guns just as much as they don’t want to give up their vape. In the meantime, join the fight to preserve vaping as a viable smoke-free alternative by becoming active with SFATA and the Right To Be Smoke Free Coalition. Stay informed on the issues, and write to your Congressman and Senators because at the end of the day our industry improves the quality of life for countless ex-smokers.

To view this article as it appeared in VAPE Magazine, click on the following link: http://vapenewsmagazine.com/agent-vape/could-deeming-regulations-actually-mean-a-hike-in-retail-sales