A cross-party group in the United Kingdom has called for a ban on Chinese-manufactured "smart" e-cigarettes amid concerns the devices could be used to collect user data and pose national security risks. The Coalition on Secure Technology, which includes policymakers and experts, warned that these internet-connected vapes, equipped with features like touchscreens and Bluetooth, might enable unauthorized data harvesting or tracking.

Labour MP Graeme Downie, chair of the coalition, emphasized the potential dangers of embedding internet-connected technology in everyday products. He noted that millions of such smart vapes are produced in China, a country where the government exercises extensive control over industry. This connection raises serious questions about the destination and accessibility of the data collected by the devices. Downie said warnings from the United States should serve as a cautionary signal for the UK to act swiftly in banning these products.

Earlier this year, a group of US Senate Republicans sent a letter to the Trump administration highlighting similar concerns. The lawmakers expressed unease that Chinese-made smart vapes could be exploited to initiate data breaches or install malware. They stressed that, due to the close ties between Chinese industry and state intelligence services, distributing these devices among US military personnel presents significant national security implications.

Smart vapes enable users to adjust settings such as power levels and heating modes and can log usage information. Some models also provide connectivity to social media platforms and other applications, raising questions about the scope of data being transmitted.

The UK’s Department for Business and Trade was approached for comment but had not responded at the time of publication. The coalition urges the government to incorporate thorough assessments of new technology that go beyond health and safety, encompassing data security and the prevention of foreign state interference.