CUSP releases ad to help communities stay safe against the threats of illegal vapes over the holidays

Ad invokes pop culture holiday themes to gain attention of parents, youth that are targeted by harmful illegal vapes, primarily from China, and the smoke shops that sell them.

A new digital ad released by Communities United for Smart Policy (CUSP) raises awareness of how illegal vapes, primarily from China, harm the health and safety of Americans, and the threat posed by the smoke shops that sell them. “It’s a classic Christmas story about greedy criminals targeting vulnerable kids at what should be the happiest time of the year . . .  Illegal vape distributors, get your illegal vapes away from our kids and out of our homes and away from our kids,” the video voiceover states. The ad will launch December 18 and run into the early new year.

“IIlegal vapes and the shops that sell them are harming the health and safety of our communities. While this escalating problem is no laughing matter, this holiday-themed video directly appeals to parents and the youth being targeted by these illegal products which are designed to look like toys and games,” said CUSP Senior Advisor and former U.S. Representative, Dr. Michael C. Burgess. “CUSP hopes it raises awareness, especially as kids enter a long holiday break from school with more unsupervised time on their hands." 

As of September 10, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have stopped more than 6 million unauthorized vapes, valued at over $120 million, from entering the country. CUSP has been working with community leaders and law enforcement officials to raise awareness of this escalating issue and call for more support for enforcement efforts at the local, state and national level.