US senators flag Chinese e-cigarette influx as hidden spy threat

A group of Republican senators has cautioned the Trump administration that the surge of illegal Chinese-made e-cigarettes entering the United States poses serious risks beyond public health.

In a letter obtained by Fox News Digital and sent to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, the lawmakers warned that the Chinese government is earning substantial profits from the sale of the devices. They added that, because of the close ties between the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and China’s State Tobacco Monopoly Administration (CSTMA), there is concern that so-called “smart vapes” could potentially be used for surveillance.

According to the senators, the “highly sophisticated” vaping devices are capable of connecting to users’ mobile phones and have become increasingly widespread across the country.

“These devices have the capacity to initiate data breaches or malware infections and can also access and collect sensitive user data,” the lawmakers wrote. “Given the interconnected relationship between Chinese industry and state intelligence services, the targeting of US military personnel with these devices raises profound national security concerns.”

President Donald Trump previously made cracking down on Chinese e-cigarettes a priority, with his administration attempting to disrupt their supply chains at ports nationwide.

Last year, the Trump-led Department of Justice announced the seizure of approximately $90 million worth of Chinese vape products in a single operation.

The letter was signed by Senators Steve Daines of Montana, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Katie Britt of Alabama, Eric Schmitt of Missouri, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, along with nine other Republican lawmakers. While praising Trump’s “aggressive, multi-agency enforcement actions” against the influx of illegal vapes, they stressed that the “magnitude and consequence requires a comprehensive strategy and response.”

The senators also warned that the issue extends beyond potential espionage. They argued that profits from the vape trade could be redirected toward Chinese military or technological programs designed to undermine US interests.

In addition, they pointed to links identified by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network between the vape trade and Mexican drug cartels, which have allegedly used the devices and related operations as a front for money laundering. The lawmakers said this trade-based laundering scheme was part of efforts to move fentanyl proceeds on behalf of the cartels.

“Given the scale and severity of this threat, we urge the Treasury Department and USTR to use their respective enforcement and diplomatic authorities to combat illegal Chinese e-cigarettes,” the senators wrote.