The Dangers of Disposable Vape Devices Imported from China

When was the last time you noticed single-use plastic vape pens littering the streets? Or heard shocking statistics about American teens using e-cigarettes? What many Americans don't realize is that most of the country's most popular single-use e-cigarette devices come from China and are filled with Chinese chemicals. Chinese manufacturers aren't required to follow specific regulations unless they sell their products within China. But come October 1, 2022, the Chinese government will implement strict regulations on the e-cigarette industry, protecting only Chinese consumers. We have no transparency on what chemicals or toxins are floating in these pre-filled disposable e-cigarette devices, but we can only imagine that unlicensed Chinese manufacturers are using the cheapest materials to maximize their profits. There's no clarity on what we or our loved ones are ingesting or the nicotine levels in the e-liquid. What we do know is that Americans are sucking on a piece of Chinese plastic filled with cheap, unknown chemicals powered by lithium batteries. With so many unknowns and allowing Chinese manufacturers to control the e-cigarette industry, we're not only jeopardizing the health of our young people, but also the health of our friends and family who choose e-cigarettes as a healthier alternative to smoking.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, disposable e-cigarette products make up 55.3% of the preferred devices used by youth who currently use e-cigarettes. This statistical result should come as no surprise, given that most disposable e-cigarette products on the market are colorful, fruit-flavored, and dessert-flavored, and feature enticing youth-oriented branding, all while being sold at remarkably low prices. What is alarming is the fact that these products have taken over the U.S. market and continue to penetrate our schools, despite the fact that most disposable e-cigarette devices are actually illegal.

It is not surprising that we continue to fight against the widespread epidemic of youth e-cigarette use, as illegal disposable electronic smoking devices are still being sold in large quantities in the United States. The government has enacted strict regulations to protect youths and children, but these regulations have resulted in a lack of enforcement and easy access to illegal and unregulated products. According to statistics released by government entities, illegal disposable devices are the main cause of the youth e-cigarette crisis in the United States. So why are we not enforcing the rules from the source of production in China? Disposable e-cigarette devices are almost always manufactured in China and imported into the United States, ignoring our rules and safety regulations.

The solution should be quite simple: stop allowing these illegal and problematic products into our country from our borders. Why is the government and media turning a blind eye to China's infusion of American youth into nicotine derivatives? We need to communicate this information and stop this invasive behavior at our borders now to protect our country's most precious asset - our youth.