WSPM, the market intelligence firm commissioned by Altria to conduct the study, examined empty vape products discarded at 100 different locations throughout the New York City boroughs. Between 1 February and 21 March this year, the collectors found 2,000 discarded vape packs. 99 per cent of these vapes were imported from China, and 99 per cent were flavoured disposables, which New York banned in 2020 due to their appeal to children and young adults.

The study underscores the extent to which Chinese vape companies have flouted regulations and dominated the country’s USD 7 billion vaping market, said David Sutton, a spokesman for Altria.

The US Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the marketing of only 23 tobacco flavoured e-cigarette products and devices; Altria’s NJOY vapes are among them. However, these FDA-approved products are rather unpopular, accounting for only 2.4 per cent of vape sales in 2023, the report said.

The Air Bar brand dominated the study in New York City. 50 per cent of the vapes found in bins in the Big Apple were Air Bar products, including flavours such as ‘Pink Lemonade’ and ‘Blue Razz Ice’. The director of compliance for Air Bar, Quentin Brunel, confirmed the company was based in China, but would not comment on the study.