A new advertising campaign launched by the Protecting America Initiative (PAI), an organization aligned with former President Donald Trump, is urging states to take action against what it describes as illicit Chinese vaping products. The campaign aims to highlight concerns over the increasing presence of unregulated e-cigarettes in the United States, which PAI claims pose significant risks, particularly to young people.
The advertisement features a direct message to viewers: "It’s hip, it’s cool, but look closely on the box," referencing the common labeling of many vape products as "made in China." The ad emphasizes that a significant portion of the vaping market is dominated by products manufactured in China, which often lack proper regulation. According to PAI, these products may be contaminated or unsafe, raising alarms about their accessibility to minors.
The campaign draws on statements made by Trump in 2019, underscoring his earlier warnings about the dangers posed by Chinese vaping products. The ad also criticizes the Biden administration for failing to adequately protect Americans from these unregulated products, suggesting that the current administration has allowed the situation to worsen.
In the ad, Trump is quoted as saying, "You watch prohibition… if you don’t give it to them, it’s going to come here illegally." He warns that without legitimate companies producing safe alternatives, illegal products could flood the market, potentially leading to dangerous outcomes for consumers. The ad concludes with a call to action for state leaders to join efforts against illicit Chinese vapes.
This campaign comes at a time when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that while youth smoking rates for traditional cigarettes have reached historic lows, the use of vaping products, particularly those imported from China, has surged among young people since 2020. The PAI’s initiative seeks to address this growing trend by encouraging stricter regulations and enforcement against these products at the state level.
The advertisement will be disseminated across various digital platforms, targeting specific markets to maximize its reach and impact. By raising awareness about the potential dangers of unregulated vaping products, the Protecting America Initiative aims to mobilize public and governmental support for stronger measures against what it characterizes as a significant threat to public health.