(The Center Square) – Arizona state Sen. Shawnna Bolick, R-Deer Valley, has introduced a bill to crack down on illegal vapes.
Senate Bill 1367 allows state agencies to track the origin of vaping products, capture illegal shipments and shut down retailers violating state law.
Bolick told The Center Square her legislation is an “anti-smuggling bill,” noting transnational organizations are behind bringing illegal vapes into America. She said these organizations have ties to Mexico, China and Russia.
Illegal vapes are being smuggled through ports of entry, Bolick said.
Nearly all of these vapes are coming from China, she noted, adding that these products “are labeled not for sale in China.”
SB 1397 requires interstate vape wholesalers to show proper documentation to the Arizona Department of Revenue. If wholesalers fail to do this, their products could be confiscated and destroyed.
Vape product manufacturers will need to obtain a state license to sell their products in Arizona, SB 1397 states. Unlicensed manufacturers caught selling their vape products in Arizona could face up to a $10,000 fine.
Justin Harris, vice president of the Border Security Alliance, said Arizona law enforcement must have the “ability to close the vape loophole and stop the smuggling of illegal Chinese vape products” into America.
“I applaud the senator’s legislation and look forward to having the governor sign this into law,” he said.
The bill also would prevent vape products from looking like cartoons, toys, video games or smartphones.
And under SB 1397, vape products would not be allowed on school grounds, school buses or school events.
Illegal vapes are being targeted toward Arizona’s youth, Bolick noted.
Such vapes in Arizona have been an issue for a while, she explained, adding that she has been working on this topic since she was a state representative. Bolick said she introduced a similar bill in 2024, but it didn’t pass.
The senator noted her bill’s intent is not to go after all vape products, because they serve a purpose.
The problem of illegal vapes reportedly is getting worse because the people making them are becoming “more sophisticated” with them., Bolick said.
A 2024 study found nearly 90% of America’s vape market is full of illegal products.
In May, the federal government seized almost $34 million worth of illegal vapes in Chicago.
Four months later, the U.S. Department of Justice announced it seized 2.1 million illicit vaping products across numerous states, including Arizona.
Attorney General Pam Bondi called the products “dangerous.”
