We Must Get Illegal, Disposable Chinese-Made Vapes in Kid-Friendly Flavors Off the Shelves and Out of the Hands of our Children
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest National Youth Tobacco Survey reveals an alarming 2,617% surge in the use of illegal flavored disposable e-cigarettes among high schoolers since 2019. In South Carolina, 47% of high schoolers are using these products.
90% of disposable vapes are made in Shenzhen, China, known as the world’s “Vapor Valley.” These products are banned in China, so nefarious manufacturers have created a new market amongst America’s kids.
In 2023, the FDA began warning retailers to stop selling illegal, disposable vapes, many of which are disguised as everyday items and school supplies such as highlighters, cellphones, USB drives, soft drinks bottles, and makeup products. In December, federal officials began seizing shipments of these illicit products but thousands of new flavored products continue pouring into the country from China.
With the federal government’s too little too late action failing to protect South Carolina kids, a strong, bi-partisan group of South Carolina Senators led by Senate President Thomas Alexander and Minority Leader Brad Hutto introduced S.994.
Stop China imports of disposable vapes targeted towards youth
This legislation establishes a statewide registry of legal vaping devices providing retailers with transparent information on which products can and cannot be sold and holding illicit manufacturers accountable. The result is a functioning market that allows adults access to less harmful alternatives to cigarettes and stops the illicit sale of products that target our youth.
Recent polling shows a strong majority of South Carolina voters support these measures with 57% indicating they support passing a state law to bolster enforcement capabilities against illegal disposable vapes.
Parents, educators, law enforcement officers, and healthcare workers across South Carolina are
sounding the alarm. Urgent action by our elected officials is needed to take these products off store shelves and out of the hands of youth.
news articles
Amid ‘epidemic’ youth vaping, SC bill aims to crack down on sales of illegal e-cigs
If feds won’t do it, SC lawmakers must protect kids from Chinese vapes
China e-cigarette titan behind 'Elf Bar' floods the US with illegal vapes
The FDA is losing a whack-a-mole contest with illegal Chinese e-cigarettes as health experts warn of more teens getting ‘addicted to nicotine’
Federal agents seize $18M worth of illegal e-cigarettes from China
Join us in calling for the passage of S.994 by contacting your legislators today.
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