Since taking the helm of the Food and Drug Administration, President Donald Trump and his administration have taken meaningful steps to address the illicit nicotine product market — a crisis that threatens public health, consumer trust, and our national security. The recent Operation Red Mist effort led by U.S. Customs and Border Protection stopped 18 million units of illegal vapes from reaching our country — no small feat and a welcome change from the inaction of the Biden years.In fact, according to a recent Government Accountability Office report, the Trump administration increased enforcement of illicit e-cigarettes fourfold in 2025 alone. While continued crackdowns are a positive development, authorizations of more smoke-free, reduced-harm products from American manufacturers playing by the rules must be part of the equation.To truly eliminate the staggering influx of illicit nicotine products flowing into our country, we need a well-regulated marketplace with effective enforcement and legal, regulated choices.
OPINION: AMERICAN MOTHERS ARE DONE BEING CHINA’S VAPE DUMPING GROUND
Consider that in our country today, an estimated 85% of the U.S. e-cigarette market is illegal. Most of these illicit products come from China. Many of them target underage users with youth-appealing features and can have extremely high puff counts. Their ingredients, manufacturing processes, and safety components have no oversight from the FDA — the agency charged with reviewing these products under the Tobacco Control Act.
