The United States is currently facing a flood of unauthorized, often flavored, disposable e-cigarettes, with the vast majority originating from manufacturing hubs in China. Despite a regulatory framework designed to control the market and protect youth, a complex and often brazen supply chain has emerged, leveraging a network of U.S.-based middlemen – including customs brokers and obscure distribution companies – to navigate import hurdles and place these illegal products onto store shelves nationwide. A deep dive into customs data, regulatory filings, and industry insights reveals a shadow economy operating in plain sight, posing significant challenges for federal enforcement agencies and public health officials alike.
Read moreTag Archive for: illegal vape
Kazakhstan is ramping up its efforts to combat the illegal trade and use of electronic cigarettes (vapes) as offenses related to these products continue to rise, particularly among young people. According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, over 268 criminal offenses involving vapes have been registered since the beginning of 2025, with a significant portion concerning illicit trade and sales to minors under 18.
The country has established strict penalties for vape-related violations. The sale and distribution of vapes can lead to fines of up to 200 Monthly Calculation Index (MCI) units (approximately 738,400 tenge), community service, or arrest for up to 50 days. More severe penalties apply to the import and production of vapes, with fines reaching up to 2,000 MCI (around 7.3 million tenge), community service, or imprisonment for up to two years. If these crimes are committed by organized groups, involve exceptionally large profits, or are repeat offenses, fines can escalate to 5,000 MCI (18.4 million tenge), with potential imprisonment of up to five years.
The Financial Monitoring Agency (AFM) reported that since the start of the year, 14 individuals have been convicted for the underground sale and production of smoking devices. Law enforcement agencies are actively working to strengthen control over this sector. Recent enforcement actions highlight the scale of the issue:
- In Astana, a 20-year-old was caught illegally selling over 40 vapes through a hookah shop, taking orders via a Telegram channel and using couriers for delivery.
- Also in Astana, a 29-year-old man was found to have been illegally selling vapes in a tobacco shop for several years, with 77 vapes seized. He reportedly ordered prohibited substances in bulk via Telegram, selling individual vapes for 9,000 to 17,000 tenge.
- During a special operation (“OPM Darmek”), officers identified a 35-year-old citizen suspected of illegal vape distribution and shut down an online store. Over 160 vapes were found stored in a utility room, with the suspect admitting to continuing sales via social media and couriers even after the official ban, at prices ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 tenge per vape.
Alongside these criminal enforcement efforts, authorities are also tackling violations of public order rules related to vaping in public places like schools and parks, particularly in large cities such as Astana and Almaty, which have high concentrations of young people. To address the rising use among youth, Kazakhstan is organizing preventive information campaigns in educational institutions aimed at raising awareness about the negative health consequences of vaping.
- News source: Vape Business: How Kazakhstan Fights Illegal Trade
Doctors in the Netherlands are threatening legal action against social media platform Snapchat, holding it responsible for facilitating the illegal sale of vapes, particularly to young people. This move comes after a ban on disposable vapes with sweet flavors took effect in the Netherlands on January 1, 2024, permitting only tobacco-flavored products in an effort to discourage youth vaping.
Read moreSouth Australia has implemented what are being called the nation’s toughest penalties for businesses selling illicit tobacco and vaping products. The new laws, championed by the Malinauskas Labor Government, grant police greater enforcement powers, create new offenses with significantly increased fines for supply and possession, and allow for longer premises closure orders.
Read moreThe 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.
Read moreCustoms 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.
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