Hill sources: Congressional Republicans eye investigating China National Tobacco Corporation (CNTC) for alleged role in illegal vape distribution

By Renee Hayes 

 

In a significant escalation of U.S. lawmakers’ scrutiny of Chinese influence in America’s marketplace, Hill sources say that Republicans are considering launching an investigation into the China National Tobacco Corporation (CNTC) for allegedly facilitating the distribution of illegal vapes into the United States. The move comes amidst growing concerns over the health risks posed by these products and their ties to organized criminal networks associated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Both Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate have strongly criticized China’s distribution of illegal vapes in the U.S., and Hill aides suggest the next step in this oversight will examine whether CNTC—a state-owned enterprise and the world’s largest producer of tobacco products—has played a direct or indirect role in the proliferation of illicit vaping devices. These devices, according to multiple reports, are flooding the U.S. market through online retailers and smuggling networks, bypassing federal regulations.

Health and National Security at Risk
Republican lawmakers have framed the investigation as not only a public health issue but also a matter of national security. Senator Marco Rubio has been one of the leading critics of Chinese role in distributing vapes and said, “Disposable Chinese vapes with illegal levels of nicotine, and deadly substances like fentanyl, have been found in the United States in growing numbers. With more than 2.1 million youth using e-cigarettes and 4.5 percent of all adults using e-cigarettes, the presence of so many dangerous and untested products is unacceptable and should spur the FDA to significant action.”

According to experts in both the health and trade sectors, illegal vapes manufactured by Chinese companies often contain far higher levels of nicotine and other harmful substances than those produced by American or European firms. Furthermore, many of these products are marketed directly to minors through appealing flavors, bright packaging, and targeted social media campaigns. This practice has fueled what public health officials are calling an epidemic of youth vaping, with potentially dire long-term consequences.

Ties to the Chinese Communist Party
The focus on CNTC comes amid broader Republican efforts to scrutinize Chinese influence in the U.S. economy. The state-owned company is directly tied to the Chinese Communist Party, which maintains strict control over all major industries within China, including tobacco production. Through CNTC, the CCP holds a virtual monopoly on tobacco manufacturing, making it a behemoth in the global marketplace. CNTC has also partnered with international firms with U.S. ties, including Phillip Morris International—a move that caught the eye of China hawks on the Hill…

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