S.T.O.P. Illicit Vapes Act

Summary of HR 6845 (S.T.O.P. Illicit Vapes Act)

Purpose

• Establishes a federal multi-agency Task Force to combat illegal importation, distribution, and sale of e-cigarettes (vapes).
• Intended to reduce the presence of unauthorized e-cigarettes in the U.S. market through coordinated enforcement and information sharing.

Key Provisions

• Establishment of Task Force

  • Creates (or re-establishes) a Federal multi-agency task force within 30 days after enactment.
  • Purpose: Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to curb illicit e-cigarettes, including goal-setting, information sharing, and coordinated actions.

• Membership and Leadership

  • Co-chairs: Attorney General and the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
  • At least one representative from each:
  • Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
  • Department of Justice (DOJ)
  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
  • Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
  • United States Marshals Service (USMS)
  • United States Postal Inspection Service (USPSI)
  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
  • Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
  • Additional representatives from other federal agencies with roles in e-cigarette enforcement, appointed by the co-chairs.

• Meetings and Oversight

  • Task Force must meet at least monthly (not less than every 30 days).

• Semiannual Reporting Requirements

  • Reports due to congressional committees twice per year (April 30 and October 31).
  • Each report must include:
  • Authorities of represented agencies to combat illegal e-cigarette activities.
  • Actions taken by agencies (criminal, civil, seizure/forfeiture) against unauthorized manufacturers, importers, and distributors during the prior 6 months (covering two reporting windows: Apr 30 report covers through Mar 31; Oct 31 report covers through Sep 30).
  • Recommendations for additional authorities if needed.
  • Areas for improvement in inter-agency collaboration.
  • Constituent Committees for Reporting
  • Senate: Judiciary, Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; Appropriations.
  • House: Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, and Appropriations.

• Sunset

  • The Task Force is set to terminate 10 years after its establishment.

Effective Date and Timeline

• Effective date: 30 days after enactment.
• Termination: 10 years from establishment.
• Semiannual reporting begins after establishment.

Affected Parties and Scope

• Federal agencies involved in national security, health, consumer protection, and customs enforcement (e.g., DOJ, HHS, FDA, CBP, FBI, ATF, USMS, USPSI, FTC, HSI).
• Aimed at illegal e-cigarette importation, distribution, and sale, including unauthorized manufacturers and distributors.
• Emphasizes interagency coordination and information sharing to reduce illicit vape market activity.

Potential Impacts

• Enhanced interagency coordination could streamline investigations, seizures, and prosecutions related to illicit vaping products.
• Increased reporting could improve transparency and Congressional oversight of enforcement actions.
• The 10-year duration provides a long-term federal framework to address evolving illicit vape networks, with potential adjustments based on annual/biannual findings.

Notes

• Bill introduced December 18, 2025, with multiple co-sponsors.
• Referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and Judiciary for consideration.