Hill sources: Congressional Republicans eye investigating China National

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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.

Critics of the Chinese government have long warned that companies like CNTC serve as vehicles for broader CCP strategies to assert influence abroad, often by exploiting legal loopholes and lax enforcement mechanisms in foreign markets.

“We know that China has a history of using state-run companies to undermine American industries and flood our market with unsafe products. CNTC may be the latest example,” a Republican operative said. “We have to get to the bottom of this and hold those responsible accountable.”

Growing Bipartisan Consensus
Though likely to be spearheaded by Republicans, the investigation could attract bipartisan support as the harmful effects of illegal vaping become more widely recognized. Democratic senators like Dick Durbin (D-IL) have been vocal about the dangers of unregulated vapes, and some have called for more aggressive measures to stop their import.

Congress passed the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act, which sought to tighten restrictions on the shipment of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to consumers. However, enforcement of these regulations has been uneven, with illegal products continuing to enter the U.S. market.
Next Steps for the Investigation

The investigation is expected to take several months and launch in January, with lawmakers seeking to obtain documents about CNTC’s role in funneling illegal vapes, and whether U.S. agencies have adequately addressed this concern.