Senator Bolick Moves to Shut Down Illegal Chinese Vapes and Protect Kids
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, January 22, 2026
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Senator Shawnna Bolick is taking action to shut down the smuggling of illegal Chinese vape products and protect kids from youth-targeted devices with new legislation to strengthen state enforcement and close long-standing loopholes.
SB 1367 targets illegal vape devices that evade federal oversight, skirt import laws, and are designed to appeal directly to kids. The bill empowers state agencies to track where vape products come from, seize illegal shipments, and shut down retailers who refuse to follow the law.
"This bill is simple: it stops the smuggling of illegal Chinese vape and enacts serious penalties on those who sell vape to our kids," said Senator Bolick, Chair of the Senate Regulatory Affairs & Government Efficiency Committee. "Anyone who follows the law should support this. Sadly, hundreds of vape shops in Arizona don't, and I expect their opposition. I have zero tolerance for businesses that act like the law doesn’t apply to them."
"Arizona law enforcement needs the ability to close the vape loophole and stop the smuggling of illegal Chinese vape products into our country," said Justin Harris, Vice President of the Border Security Alliance, immediate past President of the Arizona Police Association, and a current sergeant with a police department. "I applaud the Senator's legislation and look forward to having the Governor sign this into law."
Under SB 1367, interstate vape wholesalers must provide proper federal import documentation to the Arizona Department of Revenue, including proof showing where their products originate. If they can't, those products can be immediately seized and destroyed. The bill also strengthens retail enforcement by banning vape devices that mimic cartoons, toys, school supplies, cosmetics, smartphones, or video games, or that use celebrity likenesses or kid-friendly branding. Violations carry fines of up to $10,000 per device and immediate seizure.
SB 1367 is now moving through the legislative process as Republican lawmakers push to protect families, enforce the law, and keep dangerous, illegal vape products out of Arizona communities.
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For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus