Attorney General Pam Bondi used her House hearing this week to warn lawmakers that illegal Chinese-made vaping products pose a growing and potentially deadly threat to American kids, citing cases where illicit vapes have been linked to fentanyl and other drugs.
The exchange came after Rep. Barry Moore (R., Ala.) raised the issue from a parent’s perspective, saying he is concerned about the spread of illegal Chinese vapes and asking for an update on what the Department of Justice is doing to address the problem.
Bondi said the issue should be one where both parties work together and stressed that many parents do not realize how many of these products are being manufactured in China and sold illegally in the United States. She warned that some of the products can be tied to illegal drugs and that the consequences are not theoretical.
“Children could die,” Bondi said, pointing to at least one case involving a fentanyl-laced vape. She also described working with Secretary Kennedy on the issue and said the products are being sold as flavored vapes in violation of federal law.
Bondi’s comments underscore the stakes of an enforcement debate that has been building on Capitol Hill for months. As the Washington Reporter has previously reported, lawmakers, state officials, and industry groups have warned that the U.S. market has been flooded with unauthorized disposable vapes, many tied to Chinese manufacturers that skirt FDA rules and import restrictions. The Reporter has also detailed how weak enforcement has allowed illegal products to dominate store shelves and online marketplaces, despite being unlawful to sell.
Bondi said she would welcome bipartisan cooperation to protect kids and crack down on the illegal market, framing the issue as a straightforward public safety matter rather than a partisan fight.
Moore, for his part, offered to provide additional resources to support the effort, signaling continued congressional interest in pushing DOJ and other agencies to step up enforcement.
The hearing moment adds to growing pressure on the administration to show concrete results against the illicit vape trade. With evidence mounting that some of these products are not just illegal but dangerous, lawmakers are increasingly asking whether current enforcement efforts are sufficient, or whether tougher action is needed to stop Chinese-made illegal vapes from reaching American children.
