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Former New York City Sheriff Edgar Domenech explained the broader problem to Fox News Digital.³
“New York City has always been the capital of the criminal tobacco market and the illicit Chinese vape trade is no exception,” Domenech said. “They continue to be sold by smoke shops in every borough and on every corner.”
These illegal vape networks aren’t minor nuisances. Federal investigations show that many smoke shops distributing these products are also fronts for narcotics trafficking, illegal firearms sales, and large-scale money laundering.
China’s vape industry rakes in $28 billion annually, with government reports revealing that two-thirds of these products reach U.S. consumers despite federal bans.⁴ Nationwide, more than 80% of vapes sold are illicit and unauthorized for sale.
Mamdani Secures Controversial Endorsement
Mamdani’s pledge to cut fines and fees for small businesses by half helped him snag a late endorsement from the United Bodegas of America. However, that backing is fraught with problems.
Many member stores have been repeatedly busted for selling illegal vapes to children.⁵ The endorsement sparked immediate backlash. Fernando Mateo, co-founder of United Bodegas, resigned in protest.
“I did not agree with what was done today,” Mateo said.⁶ “This was a betrayal.”
Mateo accused UBA President Radhames Rodriguez of acting without consulting the organization’s members.
“Radhames Rodriguez violated not only the trust of every bodega owner that we respect but the trust of the organization and the leaders of that organization,” Mateo explained.⁷
Rodriguez defended the move by emphasizing Mamdani’s promise to “cut fines and fees for small business” and “speed up permits.” But that pledge has law enforcement officials worried. Reducing oversight while Chinese criminal networks flood New York with illegal vapes could be disastrous.
Calls for Continued Enforcement
Domenech warned that scaling back enforcement now would be a mistake.
“The Adams administration made strong strides bringing enforcement action and Mayor-elect Mamdani needs to continue that fight to protect New York’s children and defend small businesses,” he said.⁸
Congress recently allocated $200 million through the FDA to combat illicit vapes nationwide, funds New York City could leverage to continue the crackdown.
Mamdani’s Silence Speaks Volumes
So far, Mamdani’s transition team has not commented on plans for vape enforcement. His silence is telling. He has pledged to reduce fees and fines for businesses that sell illegal products to children and has accepted endorsement from a bodega group notorious for violating vape laws.
Mamdani takes office January 1, 2026. Criminal networks in China, along with parents across New York City, are watching closely. Every day the mayor-elect stays quiet brings growing concern about whether he will protect children—or the businesses profiting from poisoning them.
