Gallego Calls on Administration to Crack Down on Illegal Chinese Vapes

Gallego Calls on Administration to Crack Down on Illegal Chinese Vapes

PHOENIX - Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) sent a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Department of Justice (DOJ) urging the use of the new multi-agency task force on illicit e-cigarettes to crack down on U.S. distributors of illegal, mostly Chinese-made, e-cigarettes.

"Every day without action results in more young Arizonans falling victim to addictive products from China," Rep. Gallego wrote.

Rep. Gallego notes that Arizona currently has two entities that are among the largest domestic distributors of illicit e-cigarette brands. Even though the distributors operate in plain sight and open defiance of federal law, neither have been subject to civil monetary penalties or any other enforcement actions.

"Most of the leading manufacturers of illegal e-cigarettes are domiciled in China," Rep. Gallego continues. "Although there may be constraints in enforcing judicial and administrative orders against these foreign companies, these constraints do not apply to the U.S.-based distributors that bring these illegal products to U.S. consumers, nor do they apply in securing our borders against the importation of illegal products."

"With the establishment of the multi-agency task force - and the promise of greater coordination between FDA and DOJ - inaction on enforcement is no longer tolerable," he concludes. "The task force must issue impactful enforcement actions immediately to send a clear message to the worst offenders that open defiance of applicable laws and regulations will no longer be permitted."

Full text of the letter can be found HERE.

Earlier this year, Rep. Gallego introduced the Vetting and Patrolling E-Cigarette (VAPE) Imports Act to combat illicit vaping products coming into the U.S. The legislation would authorize 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.