Attorney General Alan Wilson announced on Apr. 20 that he is joining a coalition of 13 states in urging major credit card networks to halt the sale of unauthorized e-cigarette products.
The coalition’s letter targets the role of payment platforms like Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover in facilitating transactions for illicit e-cigarettes. These products generate about $11 billion in annual retail sales and account for more than 80% of all e-cigarette sales nationwide, despite only 41 products being legally authorized by the Food and Drug Administration.
“These products are deliberately designed and packaged to appeal to children,” Attorney General Wilson said. “It is clear that Chinese networks, Mexican drug cartels, and other criminal organizations are targeting our nation’s young people.” The states argue that payment processors must do more to identify and remove merchants selling these illegal items, which they say already violates existing card network rules.
Wilson added: “As Attorney General, I’ve taken action against these illegal products in South Carolina. We’ll continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect our children, communities, and way of life from foreign groups seeking to destroy them.”
The South Carolina Attorney General supports victims of crime through advocacy and resources as part of its commitment to community safety according to the official website. The office also serves as the state’s primary legal advocate and enforcer on prosecutions and regulations according to the official website. Alan Wilson has served as head of this office according to the official website.
The Attorney General’s operations extend across South Carolina according to the official website, enforcing laws related not only to consumer protection but also securities regulation according to the official website. The office collaborates closely with state law enforcement agencies on criminal prosecutions statewide according to the official website.
Attorneys general from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, West Virginia joined Iowa in leading this initiative alongside South Carolina.
