Key points:
- In January, federal agencies seized more than 628,000 illegal e-cigarette products originating from China.
- Despite the FDA approving only 34 e-cigarette products, over 9,000 types are available in the U.S. market, indicating widespread availability of unauthorized products.
- China’s vaping sector is valued at approximately $28 billion, with the U.S. accounting for nearly 60% of its exports. All authorized products are produced in China
A recent letter led by U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson urges the Trump Administration to address the surge of unauthorized Chinese-made e-cigarettes flooding the American market.
The letter highlights that these illicit products constitute over half of all vapes sold in the U.S., undermining public health efforts and contributing to a significant rise in youth vaping.
and contributes to a significant increase in youth vaping,” the letter said.
The correspondence, supported by Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi, was sent to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Acting FDA Commissioner Sara Brenner.
“The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is fueling this crisis,” the letter said. “The CCP has banned the sale of flavored e-cigarettes within its own borders yet continues to export these same products worldwide. If these products are deemed unsafe for their own citizens, we must question their efforts to smuggle and sell these products in the United States.”
In June 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FDA created a federal multi-agency task force to combat the illegal distribution and sale of e-cigarettes. The congressmen said in the letter that this task force was an “important” step forward, but more must be done.
“It is time to go even further and utilize all enforcement tools at our disposal,” the letter said. “Seizing these products is also an essential step, which currently occurs far too infrequently.”
In January, the FDA, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized more than 628,000 unauthorized e-cigarette products from a warehouse in Miami. The seized products valued at more than $7 million included mostly flavored, disposable e-cigarettes. All shipments originated in China, according to the FDA.
To date the FDA has authorized 34 e-cigarette products and devices; all of those products are manufactured in China.
