A group of 29 Republican state attorneys general is calling on the Trump administration to launch an aggressive federal crackdown on illegal Chinese vaping products, warning that the black market devices are targeting American teens and bypassing U.S. safety laws.

In a letter sent this week to top Trump officials — including Attorney General Pam Bondi, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Homeland Security Adviser Stephen Miller, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — the coalition described the influx as a coordinated assault on American youth.

“Illegal, flavored Chinese e-cigarettes are flooding the U.S. market in flagrant disregard of State and federal laws,” the attorneys general wrote. “The products have never been approved by the FDA and target America’s youth.”

The AGs are asking for a “coordinated national effort” to counter the problem, warning that the scope of the crisis extends beyond what individual states can handle. They are urging the federal government to unleash the full weight of its enforcement tools — from the Department of Justice to Customs and Border Protection — to shut down the flow at the border and hold China accountable.

Among the demands: granting CBP independent seizure powers for tobacco contraband, empowering DHS to block and destroy illegal e-cigarette shipments, and cracking down on distributors trafficking in the illicit products.

The letter references new FDA data showing that a majority of American teens who report using e-cigarettes are now using unregulated, Chinese-made vapes that never went through federal review. These illegal products often contain dangerously high levels of nicotine and, according to NIH research, may also carry unknown contaminants.

“These are not just unapproved products. They’re unsafe, untraceable, and unaccountable — and they’re being designed to lure American kids,” one state AG said in a statement. “The Chinese manufacturers know what they’re doing.”

Many of the devices in question are flavored and deliberately designed to evade U.S. flavor bans or product restrictions. In some cases, the vapes are disguised as innocuous items like USB drives or even school supplies.

The call for action underscores growing Republican concern that the U.S. is once again vulnerable to foreign exploitation — not just through supply chains or currency manipulation, but by way of cultural subversion and health threats.

“This is about more than just vaping,” a source close to the Homeland Security team said. “This is about whether the U.S. government is going to defend its youth from foreign poisoning. And with Trump back in charge, we have a chance to actually stop it.”

Trump officials have not yet issued a formal response, but sources within the administration have hinted that multiple departments are already reviewing the AGs’ proposals. A DHS official confirmed that Kristi Noem is pushing for expanded seizure powers and greater intelligence coordination between CBP, the FDA, and the Postal Inspection Service.

Meanwhile, Health Secretary RFK Jr. has reportedly tasked FDA Commissioner Marty Makary with drafting a new federal enforcement framework to regulate or eliminate unapproved vape imports — especially those targeting minors.

“President Trump said we’re going to put American families and kids first,” the DHS source added. “This is one place we can start.”

The request from the attorneys general comes as Chinese officials have remained silent on the matter, despite mounting pressure. According to one senior Commerce Department aide, the Trump administration is prepared to impose trade penalties or targeted sanctions if China fails to stem the flow of illegal vape exports.

If action is taken soon, it could represent one of the first coordinated federal crackdowns on black market vapes under Trump’s second term — and a test of how far the administration is willing to go to confront China on matters beyond tariffs.

“This is about protecting our kids from toxic foreign junk,” said one AG. “And if we don’t act now, they’ll pay the price.”