Gallego Goes After Illegal Chinese Vapes with New Legislation
The VAPE Imports Act would provide the FDA the resources to bolster field operations at ports of entry and mail facilities
WASHINGTON — Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) introduced the Vetting and Patrolling E-Cigarette (VAPE) Imports Act to combat illicit vaping products coming into the U.S.—most concerningly from China.
“Our markets are being flooded with vapes from China, targeting Arizona teens with illegal products that are getting them hooked,” said Rep. Gallego. “Unfortunately, the Food and Drug Administration does not have the resources and manpower to curtail the vapes getting dumped at our ports of entry and mail facilities. That’s why my bill bolsters efforts to inspect and dispose of these illegal vapes.”
The VAPE Imports Act authorizes an additional $5 million for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to step up its field operations at ports of entry and the eight international mail facilities, specifically to target illicit vaping and nicotine products.
The importation of illegal vape products has become a huge problem at international mail facilities and ports of entry due to a lack of manpower and resources to inspect, catalog, seize, and destroy all illicit nicotine products coming into the country.
Previously, over 30 Attorneys General sent a letter to the FDA calling on the government to do more about vapes coming into the United States.