May 20, 2025
Dear editor;
As a veteran of the Chicago Police Department, having dedicated decades of my life to fighting violent crime and protecting our communities, I fully support House Bill 2634 that is not just a step forward, but is an urgent necessity to combat the escalating threat posed by the illicit e-cigarette market in our state.
Throughout my career, I witnessed firsthand how the illegal drug trade fuels gun violence, gang activity, and the erosion of public safety. Today, we are confronting a new iteration of that threat: organized networks trafficking unregulated, often adulterated, vaping products into our neighborhoods. These products aren’t just prohibited for sale in the United States — they’re dangerous, and they’re contributing to a criminal economy that thrives on loopholes and weak enforcement.
The packaging of these vapes, often labeled “For Export Only” or styled to mimic toys and tech gadgets, makes clear that they are not meant for responsible adult use. They are marketed to children. They are shipped into Illinois through illicit channels, sold without oversight, and leave behind real harm — both to the health of our kids and the safety of our streets.
HB2634 gives law enforcement and prosecutors the tools we need to disrupt these criminal enterprises. By requiring certification that products are not adulterated and aligning enforcement with the state’s consumer fraud laws, the bill closes key gaps that traffickers exploit. It holds manufacturers accountable, without unfairly punishing honest retailers who are deceived by bad actors upstream.
This bill is not about prohibition — it is about protection. It protects law-abiding businesses from being undercut by illegal competitors. It protects our communities from the violence that follows every illicit market. And most importantly, it protects our children from being recruited — whether into addiction or the criminal networks that profit from it.
We cannot allow Illinois to become a safe haven for cartels trafficking dangerous, unregulated vape products. HB2634 empowers our state to stand up and say enough is enough. It’s time to enforce the rules and protect the people.
Anthony Carothers, Commander, Chicago Police Department, (retired)