U.S. Government’s Seizure of Nearly $34 Million Worth of Illegal E-Cigarettes Is Important Step to Protect Kids

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids applauds today’s announcement by the FDA that they seized nearly two million units of unauthorized e-cigarette products, with an estimated retail value of nearly $34 million, during a joint enforcement operation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

This joint federal enforcement action is an important step to crack down on illegal e-cigarette products that put kids at risk. We urge continued, coordinated and enhanced action by FDA, CBP and other federal agencies to further prevent illegal e-cigarettes from being imported, distributed and sold in the United States. In particular, the government should hold those illegally importing these products accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

These illegal products come in a huge assortment of kid-friendly flavors and contain massive doses of nicotine that can quickly addict kids. The 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey showed that youth e-cigarette use remains a serious public health problem in the United States, with 1.6 million kids still using e-cigarettes. Nearly 90 percent of these youth report using flavored products.