Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne (R-TX-24), Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI-6) have introduced the Ensuring the Necessary Destruction of Illicit Chinese Tobacco (END) Act. The bill aims to strengthen enforcement against illegal tobacco imports, particularly counterfeit vaping products from China.
Van Duyne stated, “We have seen too many illegal vapes slipping through the enforcement cracks, posing health and safety risks to Americans. These dangerous and counterfeit products have been flooding into our country from places like China. The END Act will give federal agencies the tools that they need to destroy these counterfeit or misbranded goods before they reach our shelves.”
Senator Cornyn added, “The vaping epidemic that has plagued American youth is made all the more concerning by China’s outsized role in flooding U.S. markets with counterfeit tobacco products. By giving the FDA destruction authority over these imports, this legislation would turn off the spigot of illicit e-cigarettes and vapes flowing from China and address the public health crisis sweeping across our nation.”
Congresswoman Dingell said, “Imported counterfeit tobacco products, mostly from China, are flooding our markets and threatening the health and safety of Americans. These knockoff vapes and e-cigarettes are illegal, dangerous, and laced with unknown chemicals. Every American who uses one is at risk of serious harm. This bill gives FDA the authority to seize and destroy these fake products before they ever reach our communities.”
The END Act has received support from organizations including 7-Eleven, Altria, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, National Association of Convenience Stores, NATSO: Representing America’s Travel Centers and Truck Stops, and SIGMA: America’s Leading Fuel Marketers.
If enacted, the END Act would allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to destroy adulterated or counterfeit tobacco products offered for import into the United States. It would also update current law so that intercepted tobacco products are treated similarly to counterfeit drugs or medical devices.
Beth Van Duyne has a history of electoral success in her district. In 2024 she won re-election against Sam Eppler with 60.3% of the vote; in 2022 she defeated Jan McDowell with 59.7%; in 2020 she prevailed over Candace Valenzuela by a narrow margin.
