As a father, there are certain things you never expect to worry about. I’ve worked to teach my kids about the dangers of alcohol, drugs, and even internet safety. But never did I imagine I’d need to educate them on the hazards of disposable vapes—tiny, sleek devices designed to appeal to young people and now easily accessible, thanks in large part to illegal imports from China.
These devices are illicit, largely untraceable, unregulated and present a growing danger that’s snuck up on our communities while we weren’t looking. Now, it is up to the next president to smartly and aggressively enforce America’s laws against these products.
Disposable vapes are showing up in school bathrooms, backpacks, and even hidden in pencil cases. They come in flashy colors and flavors that make them enticing, especially to teenagers, and some even double as video games. These devices are inexpensive, easy to hide, and are sold without any age verification. Unlike regulated, FDA-approved vapes, these illegal products are entirely unchecked and may contain harmful chemicals. They are produced overseas – the top three brands preferred by youth are manufactured in China – smuggled in through supply chains or marketed directly to our children through online overseas stores.
Recently, I found myself in a conversation with my teenage daughter about these vapes. She was honest enough to admit that they were everywhere, and that many of her friends were experimenting with them. The more I researched, the more alarmed I became, not only for the health consequences, but also because it is clear to me as an Army veteran that there are real national security concerns at stake.
Regarding health, unlike legal, FDA-authorized vapes, which must follow strict production and labeling guidelines and are made for adult use only, illegal disposable vapes have none of these protections. Many are marketed with sweet flavors like cotton candy and bubblegum—making them all the more alluring to young people, many of whom end up as addicts. The Chinese Communist Party knows this, which is why these same products are banned for sale there. Instead, they target American kids to boost Chinese profits and harm the next generation of Americans.
For parents, fighting this issue feels like an uphill battle. We can tell our kids about the dangers of drugs, alcohol and smoking and we are aided by responsible retailers who check IDs to prevent youth sales. But these disposable vapes are different. They are easily accessible online and from shady dealers on the illicit market, no ID required.
So, what can we do? First, it’s crucial for parents to stay informed. We need to talk to our kids so they better understand the hidden dangers of these illegal products. We need to educate them about the fact that they are not legal for sale and that they come from faraway countries that mean us harm.
We also need to advocate for stronger enforcement and better regulation. The FDA must crack down harder on those who sell these illegal products. State governments can require directories that better educate retailers about which vaping products are authorized by the FDA and which are not legal for sale. And state and local authorities need to apply pressure to retailers and other illicit actors who are illegally selling.
We can’t afford to let illegal disposable vapes slip under the radar any longer. Once we have a new president, we have a new opportunity to ensure the real culprits in the youth vaping crisis are held accountable.
