S.T.O.P. Illicit Vapes Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6845
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-18: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-21T08:08:07Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation aims to create a coordinated federal response to address the illegal importation, distribution, and sale of e-cigarettes (commonly known as vapes) by establishing a multi-agency task force. This is intended to protect public health by reducing unauthorized e-cigarettes in the market, which may pose risks due to lack of regulation.
Key Provisions
- Establishment of the Task Force: A multi-agency task force, called the "Task Force," must be established (or reestablished) within 30 days of the bill's enactment. It will focus on developing and implementing a strategy to reduce illegal e-cigarettes, including setting goals, sharing information, and coordinating efforts.
- Membership: The Task Force is led by two co-chairs—the Attorney General (head of the Department of Justice) and the Secretary of Health and Human Services. It includes representatives from key agencies:
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA, which regulates tobacco products including e-cigarettes).
- Department of Justice (DOJ).
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP, for border enforcement).
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
- United States Marshals Service (USMS, for asset forfeiture and arrests).
- United States Postal Inspection Service (for mail-related enforcement).
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC, for consumer protection and marketing rules).
- Homeland Security Investigations (HSI, part of Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
- Other relevant federal agencies, as selected by the co-chairs.
- Operations: The Task Force must meet at least every 30 days to ensure ongoing collaboration.
- Reporting Requirements: Semiannual reports (due April 30 and October 31 each year) must be submitted to specific congressional committees (e.g., Judiciary, Health/Energy and Commerce, and Appropriations in both the House and Senate). These reports cover:
- Each agency's enforcement authorities.
- Actions taken, such as investigations, prosecutions, seizures, and forfeitures (legal processes to take and keep property linked to crimes).
- Recommendations for new legal tools to combat the issue.
- Suggestions for better inter-agency collaboration.
- Duration: The Task Force will operate for 10 years before automatically ending (a "sunset" provision).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill does not overhaul existing laws but introduces a new structured coordination mechanism. It builds on current regulations (e.g., FDA oversight of e-cigarettes as tobacco products under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act) by mandating a dedicated task force for focused enforcement. If a similar task force already exists informally, this would formalize and expand it with specific reporting and membership rules.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Enhances inter-agency cooperation, potentially leading to more efficient use of resources for enforcement actions like border seizures and investigations. Agencies like FDA and CBP may see increased workload in tracking illicit imports, while DOJ and ATF could pursue more prosecutions.
- On Citizens: Could reduce access to unregulated e-cigarettes, potentially lowering health risks from unsafe products (e.g., those with harmful additives). Consumers and youth (a key target for prevention) may benefit from a cleaner legal market, though legal sellers might face stricter compliance.
- On International Relations: May strengthen U.S. border controls and cooperation with foreign partners to curb imports, indirectly pressuring countries that are major sources of illicit vapes (e.g., through trade enforcement), but no direct diplomatic changes are specified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: Primary implementers, including FDA, DOJ, CBP, ATF, and others listed, who will dedicate staff and resources.
- Congressional Committees: Recipients of reports, influencing future oversight and funding.
- E-Cigarette Industry: Legal manufacturers, importers, and retailers may gain from reduced competition from illicit products; illegal operators face heightened risks of enforcement.
- Public Health Organizations and Advocates: Benefit from targeted efforts to address youth vaping and product safety.
- Consumers and Youth: Indirectly protected from unregulated products, though enforcement may not eliminate all black-market access.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens existing enforcement under federal laws like the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (for product safety) and smuggling statutes, without creating new crimes. Recommendations in reports could lead to future expansions of authority, such as enhanced penalties.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's powers to regulate interstate commerce and public health; no apparent conflicts with free speech, privacy, or due process, as it focuses on coordination rather than new surveillance.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (from both parties) signals broad support for public health initiatives. The 10-year sunset provides a built-in review mechanism, allowing Congress to assess effectiveness and extend or modify it. It emphasizes collaboration over unilateral agency action, potentially reducing turf wars among agencies.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Conaway, Herbert C. [D-NJ-3]
Cosponsors (9)
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Maloy, Celeste [R-UT-2], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Rivas, Luz M. [D-CA-29], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-18: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-12-18: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-12-18: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-18: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Strengthening Task Force Operations to Prevent Illicit Vapes Act — issued 2025-12-18 — PDF (6 pages)