The Ohio Cannabis Coalition is warning that illegal vape products can contain dangerous substances, including fentanyl, and said unregulated intoxicating products pose serious risks because they are not tested or subject to legal oversight.
The coalition’s warning comes amid growing concerns about the safety of illicit vaping devices and their potential impact on public health. The organization said that without regulatory controls, consumers face increased exposure to harmful chemicals and contaminants.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), federal enforcement agencies have repeatedly traced the illegal vape supply chain to overseas manufacturing hubs, especially China. In the 12-month period ending in late 2024, CBP officers in Chicago seized more than 3.2 million prohibited e-cigarette products valued at over $81.5 million, with the agency saying nearly all shipments originated in China before being routed into the United States.
Authorities report that the scale of the illicit vape market has led to major multi-agency enforcement actions at U.S. ports of entry. In October 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, and Customs and Border Protection announced what they described as the largest seizure of illegal e-cigarettes to date, intercepting 4.7 million unauthorized products in Chicago with an estimated retail value of $86.5 million.Â
Health risks also increase when vape products are purchased through informal or illegal channels, where ingredients and device components are not verified. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigations into the EVALI outbreak found that THC-containing products obtained from informal sources were frequently involved. National data showed 82% of hospitalized EVALI patients reported using THC-containing products, and vitamin E acetate was strongly linked to the outbreak.
Seventy-one House lawmakers recently signed a letter urging the Trump administration to address illicit Chinese vape imports, calling them a combined trade, public health, and national security concern. The lawmakers urged Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to prioritize stopping unauthorized e-cigarette shipments in future negotiations with Beijing.
The Ohio Cannabis Coalition describes itself as “the unified voice of Ohio’s legal medical and adult-use cannabis industry.” The organization says it focuses on safe, regulated access to cannabis and provides consumer education resources, including a dispensary locator for legal products in Ohio.
