December 18, 2025
Mr. Durbin (for himself and Mr. Tillis) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
To establish a Federal multi-agency task force to combat illegal importation, distribution, and sale of e-cigarettes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Strengthening Task Force Operations to Prevent Illicit Vapes Act
or the S.T.O.P. Illicit Vapes Act
.
Sec. 2. Federal multi-agency task force to combat illegal importation, distribution, and sale of e-cigarettes
(a) Establishment
On the date that is 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, there shall be established (or reestablished) a multi-agency task force to combat the illegal importation, distribution, and sale of e-cigarettes (in this section referred to as the Task Force
).
(b) Purpose
The Task Force shall develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for reducing the number of unauthorized e-cigarettes in the market, including setting goals, sharing information, and coordinating efforts where appropriate.
(c) Membership
The Task Force shall be composed of each of the following members:
(1)
The Attorney General, who shall serve as co-chair.
(2)
The Secretary of Health and Human Services, who shall serve as co-chair.
(3)
At least one representative of the Food and Drug Administration, appointed by the Commissioner of Food and Drugs.
(4)
At least one representative of the Department of Justice, appointed by the Attorney General.
(5)
A representative of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, appointed by the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
(6)
A representative of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, appointed by the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
(7)
A representative of the United States Marshals Service, appointed by the Director of the United States Marshals Service.
(8)
A representative of the United States Postal Inspection Service, appointed by the Chief Postal Inspector.
(9)
A representative of the Federal Trade Commission, appointed by the Chair of the Federal Trade Commission.
(10)
A representative of Homeland Security Investigations, appointed by the Executive Associate Director of Homeland Security Investigations.
(11)
A representative of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, appointed by the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
(12)
Representatives of such other Federal agencies that have roles or responsibilities related to e-cigarette enforcement, as appointed by the co-chairs of the Task Force, acting jointly.
(d) Meetings
The Task Force shall meet not less frequently than once every 30 days.
(e) Semiannual reports
(1) In general
Not later than April 30 and October 31 of each year, the Task Force shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report detailing—
(A)
the authorities of each agency represented on the Task Force to combat the illegal importation, distribution, and sale of e-cigarettes;
(B)
all actions taken by each agency represented on the Task Force to combat the illegal importation, distribution, and sale of e-cigarettes, including the investigation and prosecution of criminal, civil, seizure, and forfeiture actions, including enforcement actions against unauthorized e-cigarette manufacturers, importers, and distributors, during the 6-month period—
(i)
with respect to a report due on April 30, ending on the immediately preceding March 31; or
(ii)
with respect to a report due on October 31, ending on the immediately preceding September 30;
(C)
recommendations for additional criminal or civil authorities that may be necessary to address the public health threat of the illegal importation, distribution, and sale of e-cigarettes; and
(D)
areas for improvement with respect to collaboration among the agencies represented on the Task Force.
(2) Appropriate congressional committees
In this subsection, the term appropriate congressional committees means—
(A)
the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and
(B)
the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
(f) Sunset
The Task Force shall terminate on the date that is 10 years after the date on which the Task Force is established under subsection (a).