A recent ABC News investigation uncovered a disturbing trend: a surge in flashy, disguised illicit vapes flooding the U.S. market, specifically designed to attract teens and avoid adult/parent detection.
These vapes are hidden in objects like:
- -Backpacks
- -Highlighters
- -Game controllers
- -Smartphone cases
- -And even toy-like gadgets
🎯 The Target? Teens.
Not only are these devices stylish and discreet, but they also contain dangerously high nicotine levels. Some even have the equivalent of 35 packs of cigarettes in a single vape!
🚫 Illegal, but Easy to Get
Despite federal crackdowns, the market is exploding. According to U.S. Customs & Border Protection:
- -Over $34 million worth of illegal vapes were seized in 2024.
- –Another $60 million has already been intercepted in the first half of 2025.
What’s worse is thay FDA officials report that 85% of vaping products in stores today are unauthorized.
🔍 Why This Matters to You
These aren’t just “flavored vapes.” This is a well-organized system targeting youth using social media, colorful packaging, and stealth marketing. Teens are inhaling potent nicotine doses without realizing the long-term consequences to their health, brain development, and addiction risk.
✅ What You Can Do
- –Start conversations with your children, students, and peers.
- –Look closer: Vapes are now being hidden in plain sight.
- –Get educated: Learn to spot the signs of vaping and where to go for help.
- –Stay involved: Join HC DrugFree’s educational programs and follow us on social media.
And remember, nicotine and vaping abuse can lead to other forms of addiction, so it’s important to keep your other household medications secured, locked, or safely disposed of.
📖 Read the full ABC News article here:
👉 Inside the crackdown on a flashy new generation of illicit vapes
Let’s work together to protect Howard County’s youth—and beyond. Remember to bring vape devices as well as prescription and over-the-counter medications to HC DrugFree’s drive-thru collections held on the National Drug Take Back Days.
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