Trump-aligned anti-CCP group launches 5-figure ad buy against illicit vapes

The Protecting America Initiative (PAI), a Trump-aligned anti-CCP group has unveiled a new digital ad urging state legislators to follow Trump’s lead in cracking down against illicit vapes produced in Communist China that are being sold illegally in America.

The spot, “Trump was Right,” is backed by a five-figure buy and will run on digital platforms in targeted markets across the country.

The new ad starts with a phrase "It's hip, it’s cool, but look closely on the box”, which highlights concerns among public policy experts committed to combating China’s influence.

"It says, right there, made in China. New data shows the market is being flooded with unregulated e-cigarettes. Most vape products are made in China, and they're not always regulated. They're getting these products from China, where they can be tainted with God knows what. It's been a struggle to keep illegal e-cigarettes from reaching young people."

Trump said in the ad: "You watch prohibition, you look at, you know, with the alcohol, if you don't give it to them, it's going to come here illegally. But instead of legitimate companies, good companies, making something that's safe, they're going to be selling stuff on a street corner that could be horrible."

The ad reminds viewers that Trump in 2019 was right about the dangers of illicit Chinese vapes and of former US president Joe Biden’s failure to protect Americans from these unregulated illicit products. It also details how states need to stand with President Trump and take action against illicit Chinese vapes.

Previously, PAI spent over US$500,000 on advertising targeting suburban women across Michigan, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania this fall hammering Biden for his failure to stop the threat of illicit Chinese vapes and urging state leaders to fill the leadership void on the issue. 

According to the China Electronics Chamber of Commerce, the US is responsible for almost two-thirds of China's vape exports. Between 2020 and 2023, the CDC Foundation estimates that sales of non-tobacco-flavoured vapes in the U.S. grew by over 60%, rising from 11.2 million to 18 million units. As of 2023, there were reportedly over 9,000 kinds of vaping products available for sale in the US, a nearly threefold surge since 2020, according to Associated Press.

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