Combatting Illicit Vapor Products – Public/Private Partnerships, Actionable Intelligence, and Real Tools to Prosecute

A growing public-health, economic, and security issue, the emerging illicit trade of black-market vapor products presents significant consequences impacting our local communities. These illicit products present additional health and safety risks for adult consumers; undermine underage-prevention measures by their ease of access; reduce sources of revenue for governments through tax evasion; facilitate broader criminal activity and threaten national security; undercut the rule of law; and violate the intellectual-property rights of U.S. companies. These black-market vapor products also present additional health and risks for adult consumers, given the unknown and untested ingredients and poor manufacturing practices.

Combatting this problem requires a holistic solution across law enforcement to reduce demand, remove supply, and arm prosecutors with the knowledge and tools needed to actively enforce against these illegal activities. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) and National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) recently developed a unique toolkit designed to support enforcement efforts against illicit vapor products. This toolkit, combined with support and expertise from industry, provides actionable intelligence and tools for enforcement and prosecution. Come learn from a fellow prosecutor, IPR Center, and the Vice President of Brand Protection from Juul Labs, Inc. (JLI) about these emerging issues and the resources available to prosecute these crimes and protect your communities.