Companies like Phillip Morris/Altria also do understand that this kind of situation is semi-temporary however. Yes, anyone can make their own, but with the combination of marketing/name recognition and economies of scale (alongside existing industry connections) they can maintain a dominant position in the market with Juul as the overall market grows and solidifies.
I'm sure they'd love to maintain the old status quo if they could, but this sort of thing is probably the right play at migrating big tobacco into the new world given that they can't.
I agree with you, but that sounds like a great Plan B. The first step would be to spread fear via the delegitimization of vaping, and convince people that vaping is deadly RIGHT THIS SECOND. Of course most people know smoking will kill you, but it’s better than the “Vape Boogeyman” being portrayed. Source: Cognitive Dissonance.
I'm sure they'd love to maintain the old status quo if they could, but this sort of thing is probably the right play at migrating big tobacco into the new world given that they can't.