Trump admin crackdown on illicit Chinese vapes yields early wins, officials say

Officials say the Trump administration's crackdown on illicit Chinese vaping products has yielded early wins, with federal and local authorities stepping up enforcement at ports and across several states. They portray the initiative as necessary to protect youth and bring clarity to a volatile domestic vape market.

Over the past eight months, federal agencies say they have intensified efforts to choke off illicit Chinese vapes and the cross-border supply chains that feed them. In May, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the seizure of almost two million units of unauthorized e-cigarette products in Chicago, valued at about $33 million. The shipments, many described as misbranded or mislabeled, prompted enforcement actions by FDA and Customs and Border Protection. The World Vape Show, which had been slated to take place in Miami, was postponed earlier this month after industry participants reported difficulty importing products into the marketplace.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. echoed the push on social media, saying, "The Chinese are getting richer while our children get sicker" as he highlighted seizures and enforcement. He also noted joint law enforcement actions, including a week-old operation targeting illicit imports.

Just last week, law enforcement seized 50 truckloads of illegal vapes from a Chicago-area warehouse, with 90% of them originating from China, officials said. In his post, Kennedy added, "We’re putting an end to that." The announcement followed reports of a coordinated federal raid in Illinois that yielded additional seizures of flavored vaping products.

The federal action aligns with statements from industry officials who say the crackdown is finally bringing greater regulatory clarity to retailers who must differentiate legitimate products from illicit imports. Scott Shalley, president and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation and Georgia Retailers, told Fox News Digital that responsible retailers are working to provide adult smokers with less harmful alternatives while warning that years of inconsistent enforcement allowed bad actors to flood the market and put youths at risk. He praised the uptick in enforcement but cautioned that more work remains to weed out illegitimate suppliers.

In Louisiana, Operation "Vape Out" has resulted in 34,000 illegal vapes being seized and at least 10 arrests, while Florida's Operation "Smoke Signals" has yielded at least 27 arrests across 20 vape stores. Edgar Domenech, a former deputy director and COO of the DOJ’s Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives, told Fox News Digital that authorities are confronting sophisticated criminal networks that traffic Chinese vapes alongside hard drugs and guns, laundering profits and evading taxes. He urged an all-of-government approach to break the networks.

Federal authorities say the crackdown is part of a broader effort to choke off the supply chain and curb the cross-border movement of illicit products. The FDA and CBP have noted that almost all illegal shipments uncovered in recent operations originated in China and often used vague product descriptions with incorrect values to evade review. A government statement described the shipments as creating a public safety risk, and officials emphasized that responsible retailers must adhere to federal guidelines to prevent youth access.

The administration has framed the crackdown as a public-safety and consumer-protection priority, while opponents have argued that enforcement should be balanced with fair access to regulated products for adult consumers. Proponents, however, argue that the measures are necessary to deter criminal networks that sometimes link illicit vape commerce with fentanyl distribution and other violent activity. Officials say the multiagency approach—combining federal, state, and local law enforcement with targeted seizures, port inspections, and consumer education—remains essential to sustain progress and close gaps in enforcement.

As enforcement continues, officials said they expect continued seizures and disruptions to the illicit Chinese vape market, and they cautioned that the scope of the problem remains significant. The administration has stressed that the fight is here to stay and that officials will maintain a robust presence at borders and in high-risk supply chains to protect communities and support legitimate retailers who comply with the law.