The numbers are staggering. The FDA estimates that 54-70% of disposable vapes in the US are illegal or counterfeit. A December 2025 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine analyzed convenience store and supermarket vape sales and found that 69.4% of dollar sales went to unauthorized products, spanning 4,421 distinct SKUs.
| Enforcement Action | Date | Units Seized | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| FDA/CBP Joint Operation | September 2025 | 4.7 million | $86.5 million |
| Operation Red Mist (FDA/CBP/USCG) | May 2026 | 18 million+ Largest | $175 million+ |
| Cumulative 2024-2026 | Ongoing | 22 million+ | $260 million+ |
Lost Mary is a prime target for counterfeiters because of its brand recognition, high retail price ($14.99), and the complexity of its packaging — which makes convincing fakes difficult to distinguish without close inspection. For context on the Lost Mary brand ecosystem, see our Elf Bar vs Lost Mary comparison or our MT15000 Turbo review.
