Pressure Grows on Mayor‑Elect Zohran Mamdani to Crack Down on Illicit Chinese Vapes Flooding NYC

New York City mayor‑elect Zohran Mamdani is facing mounting calls to set out a clear plan to combat the flood of illicit Chinese‑made disposable vapes being sold across the city, particularly in neighborhood bodegas and smoke shops.

Background and recent enforcement

Former New York City Sheriff and ex‑ATF tobacco investigator Edgar Domenech told Fox News Digital that “New York City has always been the capital of the criminal tobacco market and the illicit Chinese vape trade is no exception.” He said the products “continue to be sold by smoke shops in every borough and on every corner,” and urged Mamdani to continue enforcement to protect young people and small businesses.

Under Mayor Eric Adams, the city pursued an aggressive enforcement campaign: officials say they seized more than 1,200 pounds of counterfeit vape products, which they valued at over $80 million. The haul was so large the city paid to destroy the goods after warehouse space ran out. City attorneys also sued nine national distributors, alleging they shipped Chinese‑made, candy‑flavored vapes into neighborhoods and marketed them to teenagers.

Scope of the illicit trade

Federal authorities have long warned that disposable flavored vapes—largely manufactured in China—remain widely available in the U.S. despite federal restrictions. Enforcement operations suggest these products may be the visible tip of a broader criminal network: investigators have reported that some smoke shops and convenience stores operate as fronts for narcotics trafficking, illegal firearms sales and money‑laundering schemes.

Industry and government estimates underline the scale of the global market. China’s vape industry is estimated at roughly $28 billion, and some officials say about two‑thirds of the products made there ultimately reach U.S. consumers. Certain analyses claim that more than 80% of vapes sold nationwide are illicit and unauthorized for legal sale.

Funding and political questions

Congress recently allocated $200 million

How vigorously a Mamdani administration will continue the Adams administration’s crackdown remains unclear. Mamdani has campaigned on cutting fees and fines for small businesses by 50% and late in the campaign earned an endorsement from the United Bodegas of America, a trade group whose members have repeatedly been cited for violating state and federal vape bans. Those political ties have raised questions about how Mamdani will balance business‑friendly promises with public‑health and enforcement priorities.

Next steps

Advocates want the incoming administration to publicly commit to continued enforcement, to seek a portion of federal FDA enforcement funds, and to coordinate with state and federal partners to disrupt distribution networks. The Mamdani transition team was contacted for comment but did not provide a substantive response.

Key Quote: "We are facing an epidemic of e‑cigarette and vape use among young people, and we will not stand by while manufacturers and wholesalers supply our city with illegal, harmful products that target our most vulnerable New Yorkers — children," a spokesperson for Mayor Adams told the New York Post last year.