U.S. officials are intensifying efforts to combat a surge of sophisticated illegal vaping products entering the market. Many of these products are designed to appeal to teenagers and evade parental detection, according to an investigation. Most of the illicit items are imported from China and include vaping devices disguised as everyday objects like backpacks, smartphone cases, highlighters, and handheld video game consoles. These products often feature LED lights, Bluetooth connectivity, and hidden compartments, allowing teens to vape discreetly.

Eric Everson, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection official, confirmed the concern. "So it's very possible the child can go, 'Hey, mom and dad, I want to get these headphones, I want to get this video console,' and the parents unwittingly are buying their child vapes?" he said. "That could happen, yes."

Federal authorities view the influx of these vapes as a significant threat to youth. Recently, investigators from Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration seized nearly two million unauthorized e-cigarette products in Chicago, valued at approximately $34 million. Despite a ban on flavored vapes, stores across the country continue to sell products with enticing flavors like "pineapple express" and "killer custard blueberry."

In Louisiana, federal agents have discovered vapes hidden in safes, vehicles, and even trap doors. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives reported that the volume of seized products has overwhelmed their storage facilities. In Chicago alone, four million vape sticks are currently stored in a law enforcement warehouse. Everson noted, "This is just a small fraction of the seizures we have here."

The vaping industry, which has been established for over a decade, is valued in the billions. The CDC Foundation reports that more than 20 million e-cigarettes are sold in the U.S. each month. However, experts believe the illegal vaping market is even larger, estimating that around 240 million illegal vaping devices were sold in the U.S. in 2024. The U.S. accounts for nearly two-thirds of Chinese vape exports, according to the China Electronics Chamber of Commerce.

Although vaping rates among teens have declined in recent years, a 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey indicated that over 1.6 million American kids still use vape products. Many of the illicit vapes entering the country feature sugary flavors, despite a nationwide ban on flavored cartridges enacted in 2020. The marketing strategies for these products are also aimed at young consumers, utilizing social media platforms popular among teens.

Brian King, a former FDA official and current executive vice president for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, emphasized the multifaceted approach to attracting youth. "It's a variety of factors," he said. "We do know that flavors are enticing to kids, but we also know that they're promoted in channels that can be appealing to kids, including on social media and elsewhere."

According to the FDA, e-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product among youth. Some vape products contain nicotine levels equivalent to 35 packs of cigarettes, posing significant risks to children and young adults whose brains are still developing. In April, a coalition of over two dozen state attorneys general urged the Trump administration to help combat the influx of illegal vaping products marketed to minors. They stated, "While we are doing our best to fight the problem in the states, its nature and scope are international."

Currently, only 39 vape products are authorized by the FDA, all of which are tobacco and menthol flavored. Despite the 2020 prohibition on flavored cartridges, these products remain widely available in convenience stores, smoke shops, and online. The FDA has issued over 800 warning letters to retailers for selling unauthorized products.

Local law enforcement agencies are also taking action against illicit vapes. Sergeant Michael Thorp from the New York Sheriff's Office highlighted the importance of these efforts, stating, "It's important, because you have people that are children buying these things. You don't know what's in the product."

Despite the progress made in addressing the issue, King cautioned that the rapidly changing landscape of the vaping industry continues to pose a threat to American youth. "We can't rest on our laurels," he said. "We must ... prevent these products from getting into kids' hands."