The Office of the Director of Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released the “Teen E-Cigarette Resource Guide” to address the persistent prevalence of e-cigarettes among teenagers. Although usage has declined, e-cigarettes remain the most commonly used tobacco product among middle and high school students. In 2024, over 1.6 million teenagers reported still using them. Up to 85% of e-cigarette devices and cartridges sold in retail locations in the United States are illegal products. Federal law enforcement efforts have seized millions of unauthorized devices, but illegal sales continue, threatening the health of teenagers across the country.
Last week, HHS and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the seizure of approximately 4.7 million units of illegal e-cigarette products mainly from China, with an estimated retail value of 86.5 million U.S. dollars. This seizure is part of a joint federal operation in Chicago aimed at inspecting inbound goods and preventing illegal e-cigarettes from entering the United States. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, and Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the seizure at a press conference.
E-cigarettes directly threaten children’s brain development, mental health and long-term well-being. Secretary Kennedy said, “We are now taking action to protect the next generation by providing clear warnings to families, schools and communities to prevent children from being harmed by nicotine addiction and illegal products.”
The FDA and our federal partners are acting quickly and seizing millions of illegal e-cigarettes at ports, distributors and retailers. Director McCully said, “American children should not be addicted to addictive e-cigarette devices, especially those illegally imported from our rival countries.”
Teenage e-cigarettes are not a harmless trend. Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos, acting Chief of Staff and Senior advisor to the Office of the Secretary of Health, said, “This is a serious threat to children’s health and development.” This guideline calls on all of us, including families, schools, health professionals and communities, to unite and protect teenagers from the dangers of nicotine addiction and toxic exposure.
President Trump’s MAHA Council strategy report was released at HHS on September 9, 2025, calling for increased FDA enforcement against illegal e-cigarette products and raising public awareness through public awareness campaigns that the government does not allow unapproved e-cigarette products targeting children to continue flooding into the United States.
The “Teen E-Cigarette Resource Guide” provides actionable steps for a wide range of stakeholders dedicated to protecting teenagers from the harm of e-cigarettes:
Parents and guardians: Understand the basic knowledge of e-cigarettes, be aware of the risks, and have an honest conversation with your children.
Educators: Discuss the dangers of tobacco and e-cigarettes with students to support them in making informed choices.
Healthcare providers: Screen teenagers for e-cigarette use and consult them on health risks.
Researchers: Studying the long-term effects of e-cigarettes to guide public health strategies.
Regulatory authorities and retailers: Strengthen law enforcement, improve legislation, and work together to remove illegal e-cigarette products from the market.
E-cigarette products usually contain high concentrations of nicotine, a highly addictive chemical similar to that in cigarettes, which can disrupt brain development, exacerbate anxiety or depression, and increase the risk of chronic diseases. Studies show that nicotine consumption is also associated with vascular damage.