E-cigarettes disguised as school supplies are worrying authorities and prompting warnings as items from China enter the US

The authorities are warning parents and teachers about it looking for drugs That doesn't always look like drugs, especially when a new school year starts.

For example, there are e-cigarettes disguised as school supplies – highlighters in particular.

Some highlighter vapes even come in kid-friendly flavors like mango, strawberry banana, and blueberry ice cream.

According to reports, other e-cigarettes can look like USB sticks, pens, and even phones.

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Stefan Bjes, a patrol officer who served with a police department in the United States Chicago suburbs He has worked for over 19 years and previously served as a school resource officer. He told Fox News Digital that these e-cigarettes are available at various stores and smokers' shops across the country.

“Disposable vapes in child-friendly flavors are illegal in the United States, but are still widely available and criminalized in stores nationwide,” he said.

A specific type of highlighter vape comes in kid-friendly flavors like mango, strawberry banana, and blueberry ice cream. (iStock)

In addition to the known risks of vaping – including nicotine addiction, lung damage, gingivitis and oral cancer – Bjes warned that illegal e-cigarettes could pose other hidden dangers.

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“Illegal, single-use, flavored vapes are driving the vape epidemic among youth,” he said.

“Illegal, single-use, flavored vapes are driving the e-cigarette epidemic among youth.”

“They are pouring in from China and are completely unregulated,” he also said.

“Because they are unregulated, they could contain hazardous substances that can cause long-term harm to users.”

According to a June CDC study, sales of e-cigarettes increased by almost 50% between 2020 and 2022. (iStock)

“There is no way of knowing their nicotine content or finding out what else might be in them,” the official added. “We know that the Chinese manufacturers of these illegal single-use vapes are also making fentanyl and smuggling it into the United States.”

He urged parents to talk to their kids about the dangers of these single-use flavored vapes — and also called for government regulation.

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“The FDA must also do its part by increasing enforcement and coordination with state and local agencies to ensure they get the support and clarity they need to get these dangerous illegal single-use vapes off shelves immediately.” to take,” said Bjes.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, an FDA spokesman said the agency “is committed to keeping e-cigarettes out of the hands of our nation's youth, and we will continue to hold companies accountable for the illegal sale of these products,” especially those who shamelessly target these products. “Youth.”

To date, the FDA has approved 23 tobacco-flavored e-cigarette products and devices. These are the only e-cigarette products currently legal for sale in the United States

An FDA spokesman said the agency is “committed to keeping e-cigarettes out of the hands of our nation's youth, and we will continue to hold companies accountable for the illegal sale of these products, particularly those who shamelessly target youth.” judge.” (iStock)

“The distribution or sale of illegally marketed products is subject to compliance and enforcement measures,” the agency also said.

As of July 28, 2023, the FDA said it has issued nearly 600 warning letters to companies that manufacture, sell, and/or distribute unauthorized tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.

These include warning letters issued late last year to companies marketing illegal e-cigarette products packaged to look like toys, food or cartoon characters that could encourage use among youth, the agency said.

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“After receiving a warning, most companies correct the violations found,” said the spokesman. “However, failure to promptly correct violations may result in further action by the FDA such as injunctions, seizures, and/or civil penalties.”

In addition to the well-known risks of vaping – including nicotine addiction, lung damage, gum disease and oral cancer – Bjes warned that illegal vaping could have other hidden dangers. (iStock)

A recent study published in BMJ Journals found that disposable e-cigarettes are “bigger, stronger, cheaper” and contain higher amounts of “e-liquid” and nicotine.

“Nicotine is a highly addictive substance associated with ingestion and continued use of combustible tobacco products, making it difficult reduce or give up the use of these products,” explained the BMJ Journal.

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“Furthermore, nicotine use poses a serious health risk, particularly among adolescent users, as it can impair brain development.” [and] damages blood vessels… its use has been linked to increased damage to blood vessels feelings of depression and anxiety,” the study authors also wrote.

“There is no way of knowing their nicotine content or finding out what else might be in them.”

Sales of e-cigarettes increased by almost 50% between 2020 and 2022, according to a June CDC study.

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“Parents around the world should be careful to ensure that their children do not use these dangerous illegal e-cigarettes and that local authorities take action to remove them from store shelves,” Bjes said.