National Sheriffs’ Association Adopts Resolution Condemning Surge of Illicit Vapes Fueling Transnational Crime
National Sheriffs’ Association Adopts Resolution Condemning Surge of Illicit Vapes Fueling Transnational Crime
July 2, 2025 – (Alexandria, V.A.) - The National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) has unanimously adopted a resolution opposing the escalating public safety and national security threat posed by illicit disposable e-cigarettes entering the United States, particularly those trafficked by transnational organized crime networks and unregulated overseas manufacturers.
The resolution, which was passed unanimously by NSA, highlights the rapid and uncontrolled proliferation of illegal vaping products, many of which are manufactured in China and designed to evade FDA regulatory oversight and border detection. These products are increasingly linked to international criminal organizations generating more than $100 billion in illicit profits.
“Over the past few years, we’ve seen an explosion in illicit vape trafficking—products that are not authorized by the FDA, smuggled through complex supply chains, and ultimately funding organized crime,” said Sheriff Mike Milstead, Minnehaha County, SD and Chairman of NSA’s Drug Enforcement Committee. “This is no longer just a public health issue—it’s a serious criminal enterprise that threatens the safety of our communities and the integrity of our borders.”
While many of these products also target youth with deceptive packaging and candy-like flavors, the resolution emphasizes the broader criminal infrastructure behind the surge. Hidden in items such as flashlights or mislabeled to evade Customs, these illicit vapes are contributing to a black market now estimated to include over 9,000 unauthorized products.
The resolution calls on federal agencies, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to prioritize aggressive enforcement against these imports and urges Congress to increase support for domestic interdiction efforts. It also reaffirms NSA’s commitment to supporting sheriffs on the front lines and protecting the public from the growing harm of illicit, unregulated products.
The passage of the resolution positions NSA as a leading voice in a nationwide effort to combat the illegal vape trade and its ties to transnational crime.
About the National Sheriffs’ Association
The National Sheriffs’ Association is one of the largest associations of law enforcement professionals in the U.S., representing more than 3,000 elected Sheriffs across the nation, and with a total membership of more than 13,000. NSA is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising the level of professionalism among sheriffs, their deputies, and others in the field of law enforcement, public safety, and criminal justice. Throughout its eighty-four-year history, NSA has also served as an information resource for all law enforcement, as well as state governments and the federal government.
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