Tag: American Vaping Association

  • American Vaping Association Shuts Down

    American Vaping Association Shuts Down

    Greg Conley

    The American Vaping Association (AVA) plans to shut down operations, reports Vaping360, citing a letter to supporters from AVA President Gregory Conley. The group was an advocacy organization representing both consumers and the independent industry, and it was in operation for almost 10 years.

    “While this may be the end of AVA, our common goal remains,” wrote Conley in the letter, “ensuring that smokers have access to safer alternatives. Despite rough times to come, I am hopeful for the future.”

    “As many of you may know, back in July 2022, I took on a new role as the director of legislative and external affairs for the trade association the American Vapor Manufacturers (AVM),” Conley wrote. “Since that time, AVA has gone dormant, although I have remained in my position as a volunteer to assist with administrative functions.”

    Following the dissolution of the AVA, Conley will continue in his role with the AVM, representing AVM members rather than his more universal spokesperson role with the AVA.

    The AVA’s remaining funds will be split into donations to the Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternatives Association and the Influence Foundation, which funds Filter’s online publication.

    “Looking ahead,” Conley wrote, “the vaping industry—and the tobacco and nicotine industry as a whole—face immense challenges, from byzantine regulatory hurdles to billionaire-funded misinformation campaigns. My work with the AVM will continue and is geared toward addressing some of these challenges head-on.”

  • Companies Ask FedEx to Reverse Vape Mail Ban

    Companies Ask FedEx to Reverse Vape Mail Ban

    Photo: Sundry Photography

    More than 400 vapor companies have urged FedEx to reverse a policy prohibiting shipping and receiving vaping products. The American Vaping Association (AVA) sent a letter to FedEx insisting that the delivery ban will prevent consumers from obtaining vapor devices and e-cigarettes they’ve used to stop smoking.

    FedEx’s current rules, following the changes to the Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act, prevent shipping vaping products from business to business or directly to vapers.

    “We rely on companies like FedEx to stock our store shelves and meet customer demand,” the letter reads. “Without the option to order vaping products at wholesale or ship their products to consumers, vape stores have seen their shipping options skyrocket in cost or evaporate entirely. If consumers are not able to access or afford these reduced-risk alternatives to cigarettes, they will be forced to turn back to combustible tobacco, which is far more dangerous and will have life-long consequences on their health.”

    FedEx is doing a great disservice to American small businesses and consumers. They are playing right into the hands of Big Tobacco, which directly benefits from policies that make it more expensive for adult smokers to switch.

    Greg Conley, president, AVA

    “FedEx is doing a great disservice to American small businesses and consumers,” said Greg Conley, president of the AVA. “They are playing right into the hands of Big Tobacco, which directly benefits from policies that make it more expensive for adult smokers to switch. Not only are vaping products legal and regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, but they are saving lives by keeping people off combustible cigarettes.”