To our valued & loyal customers

Over the past decade, Derb E Cigs has had the privilege of serving over 100,000 unique customers. What began in a modest 600-square-foot space in the fall of 2013 has grown into a thriving enterprise with 11 stores and multiple brand acquisitions. Our unwavering commitment has always been to deliver exceptional customer service and high-quality, lab-made products. We are proud to have had zero incidents with our products while helping countless individuals quit smoking.

However, over the years, we have faced significant challenges—not from competitors or individuals, but from large corporations lobbying politicians to restrict our products. We have fought against flavor bans, excessive taxes, online sales bans, and numerous other legislative restrictions. Notably, Derb E Cigs successfully sued the state of Indiana to reverse unconstitutional laws a few years ago. Despite knowing we would face new challenges come January, we remained steadfast in our mission.

This past legislative session in Kentucky presented significant obstacles. We were confronted with multiple bills aimed at banning almost all products on our shelves in Kentucky. HB11 and SB344, modeled after Alabama laws, require FDA approval for sale in the state. Despite spending millions on FDA approval (PMTA), Derb E Cigs currently has only four products still under review. As it stands, only 27 products nationwide have received FDA approval (including JUUL, VUSE, and NJOY). Ironically, the manufacturers of some of these brands made substantial contributions to Kentucky legislators prior to the session.

For months, we fought these bills by citing studies from Yale and other prestigious institutions, and by demonstrating that banning our products would likely increase tobacco sales, as evidenced by a Barclays investment call about Altria. Unfortunately, the majority of legislators did not heed our warnings.

Effective January 1, 2025, Derb E Cigs will be removing nearly all products from our Kentucky store shelves. We have always adhered to the law, never receiving a warning or citation for selling to minors or for selling illicit products. While our products will remain available in Indiana, we are actively seeking new, legally compliant products to offer in Kentucky. However, the options are currently very limited. Additionally, we have initiated lawsuits against both the state of Kentucky and the FDA.

To help our customers prepare for the impending ban, we are revising our entire pricing structure across all stores effective June 3, 2024, including those in Indiana. It is disheartening to witness the current state of vaping legislation in Kentucky. We deeply appreciate your loyal support over the years and remain committed to helping smokers quit for many years to come.

Thank you for everything you have done for us, our team, and our family. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, or concerns via email at troy@derbecigs.com.

 

Troy LeBlanc

Founder, Derb E Cigs