The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in collaboration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), announced the seizure of nearly two million units of unauthorized e-cigarette products in Chicago, carrying an estimated retail value of $33.8 million. The operation, which took place in February of this year, aimed to intercept and prevent illegal e-cigarettes from entering the U.S. market.
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Customs investigators in Hamburg, Germany, have dismantled a significant illegal e-cigarette operation, seizing nearly 3,000 liters of illicit vape liquid and preventing an estimated €730,000 in tax losses. Officials announced the successful raid on Wednesday, confirming the provisional arrest of four suspects linked to gang-related tax evasion.
Read moreAcross the country, flashy and highly publicized conventions are showcasing an endless array of products that are not only illegal under federal law but also dangerous, addictive, and targeting America’s youth. At a recent expo in Miami, a dazzling display of e-cigarettes, or vapes, featured a wide range of enticing flavors, from Banana Taffy and Blueberry Milk to Gummy Rush and Tropical Gush.
Read moreBelgium’s ban on the online sale of tobacco products, including electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), has not deterred some sellers from continuing to offer these products through social media platforms and e-commerce marketplaces. In response, the Federal Public Service (FPS) Public Health is implementing strict enforcement measures to combat this illegal activity. The number of cases processed by the FPS Public Health regarding illegal online sales of vapor products has skyrocketed from 824 in 2023 to 6,286 in 2024. The increase in resources and expanded enforcement teams has enabled more targeted inspections and rapid interventions.
Read morePhilippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. personally led the public destruction of nearly 3 million pieces of smuggled electronic cigarettes and vaping accessories in Manila on Monday, April 7th. The seized goods, valued at approximately P3.26 billion (Philippine Pesos, about $56.8M), were disposed of at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) facility in South Harbor, signaling the administration’s firm stance against illicit trade.
Read moreThe Crisafulli Government in Queensland is taking a tough stance against the illegal tobacco and vape trade by introducing the nation’s highest fines for shop owners caught supplying or possessing these illicit products. As of today, illegal operators will face on-the-spot fines exceeding $30,000, a significant increase from the weak penalties under the previous Labor Government.
Read moreBrazil has witnessed a significant increase in the seizure of electronic cigarettes, commonly known as “vapes,” in 2024, despite a long-standing prohibition by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) since 2009. The state of São Paulo, in particular, saw a sevenfold increase in confiscated devices compared to the previous year, highlighting the growing popularity of the product in the face of strict regulations.
Read moreIn a letter sent on March 19, 2025, three U.S. representatives called on the Trump administration to take decisive action against the sale of illegal Chinese-made vape products in the United States. The letter, signed by Reps. Dusty Johnson (R-South Dakota), John Moolenaar (R-Michigan), and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Illinois), was addressed to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Food and Drug Administration Acting Commissioner Sara Brenner.
Read moreThe Malinauskas Labor Government of South Australia has introduced new legislation to State Parliament, granting police greater powers and implementing tougher penalties to crack down on the illegal tobacco and vape trade. The new laws, developed in consultation with Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, aim to reduce criminal activity and protect the community from the risks associated with illicit tobacco and e-cigarette products.
Read moreSales of unauthorized, flavored disposable vapes in the United States amounted to approximately $2.4 billion in 2024, representing 35% of the e-cigarette market in outlets such as convenience stores and supermarkets, according to private retail sales data reviewed by Reuters. The data, provided by an industry source outside of the market research firm Circana, shows a decline from $3.2 billion in 2023 and $2.8 billion in 2022.
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