A new Christmas ad aims to expose the “greedy criminals targeting vulnerable kids” with illegal vapes.
Illegal vapes, largely from China, have flooded the U.S. market in recent years with flavors and advertising specifically aimed at enticing children.
“This Christmas, it’s time to get those who profit from illegal vapes a supersized dose of Kevin,” the ad tells viewers, referring to Kevin McCallister, the lead character in the 1990 Christmas classic “Home Alone.”
“Illegal vape distributors, get your illegal vapes away from our kids and out of our homes,” the ad warns as a scene similar to Kevin McCallister defending his home from the “wet bandits” in “Home Alone” plays across the screen.
Communities United for Smart Policy, the nonprofit policy advocacy group that sponsored the ad, recently found that 70% of parents want stronger enforcement aimed at removing illegal vapes from their communities.
The survey, conducted of over 1,000 parents, found “overwhelming concern about the spread of illegal vape products and strong bipartisan support for tougher enforcement against the stores that sell them,” according to Communities United for Smart Policy. “Parents view illegal vapes not as a niche regulatory issue, but as a direct threat to community safety.”
The poll also found that “73% of parents agree that stores selling illegal vapes pose safety concerns in their community,” and 78% of parents are in favor of “legislation that supports enforcement efforts to combat illegal vape distribution.”
As of September, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection had “stopped more than 6 million unauthorized e-cigarettes worth over $120 million from entering the country,” according to the policy group.
“Illegal vapes and the shops that sell them are harming the health and safety of our communities,” former Rep. Dr. Michael C. Burgess said.
“While this escalating problem is no laughing matter, this holiday-themed video directly appeals to parents and the youth being targeted by these illegal products designed to look like toys and games,” Burgess continued. “[Communities United for Smart Policy] hopes it raises awareness, especially as kids enter a long holiday break from school with more unsupervised time on their hands.”
Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and pose a danger to young people.
“Aerosol from e-cigarettes can also contain harmful and potentially harmful substances. These include cancer-causing chemicals and tiny particles that can be inhaled deep into lungs,” according to the CDC.
Members of Congress have taken action to stop the flow of the illicit materials into the U.S.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas put forward the Ensuring the Necessary Destruction of (END) Illicit Chinese Tobacco Act. The act, which passed in November, allows the FDA to destroy counterfeit vapes and other tobacco products, including those from China.
“China is raking in the dough at the expense of American teens and young adults by lining U.S. shelves with illegal vapes and e-cigarettes,” Cornyn said. “This legislation would crack down on China’s counterfeit cash cow that’s corroding our nation’s health and extend the FDA’s destruction authority to these dangerous imported tobacco products.”
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., has urged the FDA to do more to crack down on the illegal drugs entering the U.S. market.
“To combat Chinese influence, FDA should increase the number of regulated, legal, American products available to consumers,” Cotton wrote in a letter to the FDA in November.
Even as the CDC saw a decline in the use of e-cigarettes among youth in 2024 compared to 2023, Congress continues to push the FDA to do more to crack down on illicit vapes.