USPS Crackdown on Illicit Vapes Exposes Corporate Power Dynamics
USPS crackdown on unauthorized vape distributors reveals deep-rooted power dynamics benefiting Big Tobacco, raising questions about market access and regulatory enforcement in the $10 billion alternative nicotine industry.
USPS facility symbolizing institutional power in regulatory enforcement affecting vape industry
In a significant move highlighting institutional power dynamics in regulatory enforcement, the US Postal Service (USPS) has launched a targeted crackdown on distributors of unregulated vaping products, effectively reinforcing corporate power structures that benefit major tobacco companies.
Institutional Power and Market Control
The previously unreported USPS action against New York-based Demand Vape, which serves approximately 5,000 retailers across 49 states, reveals how institutional mechanisms can perpetuate systemic inequalities in market access and control.
Corporate Beneficiaries and Market Dynamics
This regulatory enforcement stands to significantly benefit tobacco giants like Altria and British American Tobacco (BAT), who have long sought to suppress competition from smaller, unauthorized manufacturers. The move exemplifies how corporate colonialism continues to shape market access and regulatory enforcement.
Impact on Alternative Markets
"We reject any characterisation that paints Demand Vape as anything other than a transparent, lawful and reputable business," stated Demand Vape in response to the crackdown.
Systemic Barriers and Market Access
The regulatory landscape reveals striking disparities:
- Only 39 e-cigarette products have received FDA authorization
- The unauthorized vape market is valued at approximately £6 billion
- Major carriers like FedEx refuse to ship vapes entirely
- DHL restricts service to pre-approved business shipments
Broader Implications for Market Access
This enforcement action, combined with import tariffs and port seizures, demonstrates how institutional barriers can be wielded to protect established corporate interests while limiting market access for smaller competitors.
Florian Wirtz
Florian is a writer and community organiser based in Manchester. Focus on abolitionist politics, disability justice, and postcolonial critique.