Henrico Times

In a bipartisan effort, Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA) and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) have written a letter to administration officials, urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to take action against the increasing presence of illicit vaping products from China in the United States. The congressmen are concerned about the infiltration of the U.S. market with these products, which are circumventing FDA regulations.

Rep. Wittman expressed his concern, stating, "We cannot allow the Chinese Communist Party to infiltrate the U.S. market with illicit vaping products, circumventing the FDA." He emphasized the urgency of the situation, with approximately 90 percent of vaping products illegally entering the United States coming from China.

Rep. Krishnamoorthi also highlighted the importance of addressing the issue, especially in light of the youth vaping epidemic. He stated, "At a time when the vast majority of illegal vaping imports come from the PRC, especially those specifically designed to appeal to children, it is imperative that federal agencies work together to prevent these illicit products from reaching our kids."

The congressmen, who both serve on the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, are committed to building consensus on the threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party and developing a plan of action to protect the American people, economy, and values.

The letter was co-signed by several other representatives, including Reps. Andy Barr (R-KY), André Carson (D-IN), Neal Dunn (R-FL), Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO), Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), and Ritchie Torres (D-NY).

The congressmen addressed their concerns in a letter to the FDA and the DOJ. They highlighted the extreme proliferation of illicit vaping products from China and the ease with which these unregulated products can be bought online and in stores across the United States. They called on the agencies to work with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to address this urgent problem.

According to the letter, an estimated 90 percent of illicit vaping products without pre-market authorization come from China. These products often have custom designs and kid-friendly flavors, and they can be quickly delivered to the United States. The congressmen pointed out that these products now make up more than half of all vaping products sold in the U.S. and are contributing significantly to underage vaping rates.

The letter also highlighted the concerning statistics on youth vaping. In 2023, 10 percent of high schoolers and 4.6 percent of middle schoolers, or 2.1 million youth, used e-cigarettes. The congressmen expressed their concern over the import ban on disposable Elf Bar e-cigarettes, which is being successfully evaded by the manufacturer.

The congressmen also raised questions for the FDA and DOJ regarding their plans to combat the proliferation of illicit vapes, initiate legal proceedings against manufacturers, prevent the importation of illegal vapor products, and handle referrals and resources related to vapor-related cases.

In conclusion, Congressman Wittman, Congressman Krishnamoorthi, and their colleagues are urging the administration to take swift action to prohibit illicit vaping products from China. They are calling on the FDA and DOJ to address the issue and work with CBP to prevent the importation of these products. The congressmen are committed to protecting the American people, particularly the youth, from the harmful effects of these illicit vaping products.

To learn more, click on this link: https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5407