Nathaniel Quentin Moran, Representative for Texas’ 1st Congressional District, said on March 16 that illegal Chinese vapes pose significant risks to public health, youth safety, national security, and criminal finance, and that the United States should address these concerns in any trade negotiations with China.
"These illegal Chinese vapes are a threat on every front. They contain toxic levels of lead and carcinogens, and are deliberately marketed to target our kids with candy flavors and social media influencers. They are sold near schools and military bases by foreign nationals, and their 'smart' technology risks funneling sensitive data directly to the Chinese Communist Party. This is not an accident—it is a deliberate strategy by Beijing. The United States cannot stand idle," Moran said in a statement.
Illegal vape sales have prompted law enforcement investigations beyond routine tobacco enforcement. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) said investigations have linked some retail activity near military bases to broader networks. The agency reported that vape shops near bases were being examined, including cases involving foreign nationals and potential targeting of active-duty personnel, contributing to national security concerns as well as youth access issues.
Federal officials said illicit vaping products can bypass review, manufacturing, and enforcement systems designed to identify unsafe ingredients, incorrect nicotine labeling, and design defects. Recent large-scale seizures involved unauthorized products, most from China, that used incorrect values and vague descriptions to avoid duties and safety review, making them more difficult to track, regulate, and remove from the market than authorized products.
Empire State Today reported that New York authorities seized more than 28,500 pounds of illicit vape products in Nassau and Orange counties following a three-month investigation. State officials said the products were tied to a Buffalo-area distributor, Ecto World (also known as Demand Vape), which allegedly shipped large volumes to sub-distributors and unlicensed retail shops across the state.
Ecto World affiliate Magellan Technology and Demand Vape have been associated with Jon Glauser of the Vapor Technology Association, according to Breitbart. Through the Global Vape Alliance, this association has partnered with the Electronic Cigarette Industry Committee of the China Electronics Chamber of Commerce—an entity registered under China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs whose leadership has included former Chinese government officials.
Nathaniel Moran has represented Texas’ 1st Congressional District since 2023. He previously served on the Tyler City Council and as Smith County judge. His House biography also notes a legal career focused on business and commercial matters, along with degrees from Texas Tech University.
