Trump-aligned group launches campaign against illegal Chinese vapes, echoing former president’s warnings.
At a Glance
- The Protecting America Initiative (PAI) starts ad campaign targeting illegal Chinese vapes
- Campaign criticizes Biden administration’s handling of the issue
- Over 1.6 million U.S. middle and high school students reportedly use vapes
- Disposable Chinese vapes dominate the teen market, often with candy flavors
- PAI urges states to act as barriers against these potentially dangerous products
PAI Launches Campaign Against Illegal Chinese Vapes
The Protecting America Initiative (PAI), a group aligned with President Donald Trump, has launched a significant advertising campaign calling for states to tackle the spread of illegal Chinese vapes. This five-figure ad buy aims to draw attention to the health dangers these unregulated e-cigarettes can pose, particularly to younger Americans. The campaign’s message focuses on encouraging states to act as barriers against these potentially dangerous products, nurturing a narrative of shielding American values and health from foreign intervention.
The ad highlights that many vape products are made in China and are often unregulated, suggesting these products can be tainted and pose a risk, especially to young people. It also references Trump’s 2019 warnings about the dangers of illicit Chinese vapes, while criticizing the current administration for what PAI sees as insufficient measures since taking office.
The Scope of the Problem
America faces a significant teenage vaping problem, with over 1.6 million middle and high school students reportedly vaping. The top vape brands among teens are disposable Chinese vapes, often candy-flavored and designed to appeal to kids. Despite flavored vapes being supposedly illegal for both kids and adults, loopholes in state laws allow their continued sale.
The rise of disposable vapes, primarily from China, has circumvented U.S. regulations, with companies rebranding to avoid import alerts. Federal enforcement by the FDA and Customs and Border Protection is limited, leaving states to manage the issue. The FDA maintains that only 34 vaping products are legally authorized, but state laws often misinterpret or ignore this.
Trump’s Stance and Current Efforts
The Trump administration initially took a strong stance against flavored e-cigarettes but later withdrew proposed rules banning menthol in cigarettes and flavored cigars, which faced public opposition. Trump has since positioned himself as a defender of the vaping industry, stating he would “save vaping again.” His approach emphasized the need for regulation without pushing consumers towards potentially more dangerous black market alternatives.
“You watch prohibition, you look at, you know, with the alcohol, if you don’t give it to them, it’s going to come here illegally. But instead of legitimate companies, good companies, making something that’s safe, they’re going to be selling stuff on a street corner that could be horrible,” Trump said.
Currently, the FDA and DOJ have formed a multi-agency task force to combat the illegal distribution and sale of e-cigarettes. A proposed rule would require importers of vapor products to submit an FDA-issued Submission Tracking Number to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO) supports this proposed rule to ensure only authorized vapor products enter the U.S. market.
