Vape Market Weekly News (7th to13th, Dec. 2024)

Vape Policies & Industry News (7th to 13th, Dec.)

China

1. On Dec. 6, the "2024 Annual Meeting of the Work Summary of the Electronic Cigarette Professional Committee of the China Electronic Chamber of Commerce", guided by the China Electronic Chamber of Commerce and hosted by the Electronic Cigarette Special Committee, was held in Qianhai, Shenzhen. https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/SeMjVmTGcu6vss7DOWchkA
2. On Dec. 10, the vape brand Vaporesso showed the first solar open concept vape on its official website -Eco Nano Solar. The official website information shows that the product is "conceptual product and does not sell it to the public." https://www.vaporesso.com/activity/pure_power_pc

Vietnam：

1. On Dec. 7, Viet Nam's Deputy Minister of Health noted that although the prevalence of smoking among adults has decreased, the prevalence of smoking among men is still high. Vietnam's National Assembly has passed new regulations to ban e-cigarettes from 2025, and multiple departments will work together to promote the implementation of the e-cigarette ban. https://baovanhoa.vn/doi-song/sau-khi-quoc-hoi-thong-qua-nghi-quyet-ve-cam-thuoc-la-dien-tu-con-nhieu-viec-phai-lam-114398.html

UK

1. On Dec. 8, British e-cigarette maker Chill Brands, which is affected by the one-time e-cigarette ban and has seen a decline in sales, plans to launch a zero-nicotine e-cigarette e-liquid product. https://www.independent.co.uk/business/fewer-retailers-stocking-disposable-vapes-ahead-of-2025-ban-maker-says-b2661186.html
2. On Dec. 10, online marketplaces and vape producers will soon be paying their fair share towards the cost of recycling waste electricals, from toasters to vapes and hair curlers, levelling the playing field for UK retailers, the UK Environment Department has announced. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/online-giants-to-pay-their-fair-share-for-electrical-waste
3. On Dec. 10, the Welsh Parliament in the UK passed a vote to ban the supply of disposable e-cigarettes in Wales, with the regulation set to come into force on June 1, 2025. https://www.gov.wales/senedd-votes-ban-single-use-vapes-ban
4. On December 12, the British island of Jersey plans to ban the use of disposable e-cigarettes from 2025, and the decision was passed in the Jersey State Parliament by 45 votes in favor and 0 votes against. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c80vy08y7l9o
5. On Dec. 12, British retailer Haypp released data that fruit flavors are favored by consumers, with Lost Mary's pineapple ice and Elf Bar's watermelon flavor ranking the top two most popular flavors, andLost Mary and Elf Bar dominate the market. https://retailtimes.co.uk/haypp-wrapped-brits-favourite-vape-flavour-revealed-in-new-report/

EU

1. On Dec. 9, the 16 EU countries support the European Commission's proposal for a new tax law on e-cigarettes to unify taxes to solve the problem of market distortions in the EU, but there are differences in the current regulations of various countries, and the government should deal with it urgently. https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/16-member-countries-urge-to-include-vapes-in-eu-s-tobacco-tax-law-124120900261_1.html

Malaysia

1. On Dec. 9, Malaysia's Johor Son Seng e-cigarette grey market attracts 70% of Singaporean customers, which merchants say is due to a more relaxed enforcement environment. https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20241209-5548739

Canada

1. On Dec. 9, three tobacco control organizations in Canada have called on the government to quickly remove flavored e-cigarette products from shelves, criticized the government's delay in implementing flavoring restrictions, and urged the government to resist lobbying by the e-cigarette industry and prioritize public health. https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/vaping-protection-delayed-is-protection-denied-antitobacco-groups-decry-further-delays-in-vape-flavour-restrictions-867004089.html

Russia：

1. On Dec. 9, the Russian Ministry of Agriculture announced an increase of 4.5% and 5% respectively on the price of nicotine-containing heated tobacco products and e-cigarette e-liquids from January 1, 2025. https://www.forbes.ru/biznes/526807-minimal-nuu-cenu-na-sigarety-s-1-anvara-povysat-do-135-rublej
2. On Dec. 11, Russia's Petersburg parliament called for a total ban on e-cigarettes, requesting that the standard requirements for e-cigarette packaging be strengthened. The parliamentarians pointed out that a large number of e-cigarette products on the market are counterfeit and shoddy goods, and the packaging often contains drug propaganda, and such products should be severely punished. https://www.pnp.ru/social/peterburgskie-deputaty-poprosili-sazhat-na-kol-razrabotchikov-upakovki-veypov.html
3. On Dec. 12, in the second and third readings, the Russian State Duma passed a law that treats smokeless mixtures as nicotine-containing products and prohibits the sale of smokeless heating mixtures with a nicotine content of more than 3.5%. https://dumatv.ru/news/-bestabachnie-smesi-dlya-kalyanov-priravnyayut-k-nikotinovoi-produktsii?utm_source=yxnews&utm_medium=desktop&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fdzen.ru%2Fnews%2Fstory%2F4f7b45b1-4269-508a-8a93-a703c2aa0b3c

Philippine

1. On Dec. 10, the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry refuted the false claims made by FLARE and SHFT e-cigarette companies on social media, emphasizing that only brands with valid PS licenses, such as DON BARS, RELX, and others, can be sold in the market. https://www.dti.gov.ph/news/dti-refutes-misleading-posts-flare-shft-urges-businesses-comply-ps-license-requirements/

Latvia

1. On Dec. 10, the Latvian Ministry of Health has proposed new restrictions to ban the use of e-cigarettes in the windows of residential buildings, and the proposal may be on the agenda next year. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/health/10.12.2024-latvia-might-introduce-stricter-rules-on-vaping-in-public.a579620/

USA

1. On Dec. 10, Philip Morris International estimates that the introduction of its vaping brand Veev Now a year ago has kept approximately 2.5 million cigarettes unlit in Trinidad and Tobago and expanded distribution in Central America and the Caribbean. https://newsday.co.tt/2024/12/09/philip-morris-2-5m-fewer-cigarettes-smoked-over-12-months/
2. On Dec. 11, U.S. lawmakers launched an investigation into illegal e-cigarettes and issued investigation letters to five Chinese manufacturers which include Guangdong Qisitech Co. Ltd, Shenzhen HanQingDa Technology Co. Ltd, iMiracle Technology Co. Ltd, BFL Metal Production Ltd, Dongguan Delin Technology Co. Ltd, and six U.S. distributors which include Midwest Goods, Kanger Wholesale, Vape Wholesale USA, Demand Vape, World Vape USA, Mi-Pod. https://democrats-selectcommitteeontheccp.house.gov/media/press-releases/ranking-member-krishnamoorthi-launches-inquiry-illegal-vape-imports-peoples
3. On Dec. 11, the U.S. FDA intends to reduce the nicotine content of tobacco products, and the approval process could take months, and the tobacco industry may file a lawsuit to block the new rules. https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/11/health/fda-tobacco-nicotine-limit/index.html
4. On Dec. 12, Altria commissioned an independent laboratory to investigate illegal e-cigarette brands and found that 9 out of 12 brands misrepresented the source of nicotine, 10 brands mislabeled nicotine concentrations, and 2 out of 14 e-cigarette products claiming "zero nicotine" contained excessive nicotine. https://sciences.altria.com/scientific-engagement/recent-news/illicit-e-vapor-products-widely-mislabel-their-nicotine-composition

Mexico

1. On Dec. 10, Merchants of e-cigarette-related products in Mexico and pro-e-cigarette organizations rallied in front of the Senate to protest a bill that would ban and punish vaping-related activities, arguing that it would lead to the formation of a black market and criminalize consumers. https://www.reporteindigo.com/reporte/manifestantes-protestan-afuera-del-senado-en-contra-de-la-prohibicion-del-uso-de-vapeadores/
2. On Dec. 11, Mexico's Senate approved a reform package to ban the use of e-cigarettes, and the bill will be submitted to local councils in Mexico's 32 states for a vote as a constitutional amendment. https://vanguardia.com.mx/noticias/mexico/avala-senado-prohibicion-a-vapeadores-y-fentanilo-AD14354235

Poland

1. On Dec. 10, the Polish government's new e-cigarette tax policy, which is planned to be implemented from July 2025, could lead to a shrinking market for e-cigarette products, with traditional tobacco products regaining market dominance, and local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) facing a heavy blow. (From July 2025, e-cigarette devices in Poland will face an excise tax of 40 zlotys ($10) each) https://biznes.newseria.pl/news/95-proc-urzadze-do,p323536123

Italy

1. On Dec. 10, more than 900 e-cigarette websites have been banned in Italy, and the authorities have ordered them to adjust their operations by December 18, including removing elements or products that should not be available to individuals on the websites, such as disposable e-cigarettes and pre-mixed e-liquids. https://www.sigmagazine.it/2024/12/web-oscurato-2/

Australian

1. On Dec. 11, Australian pharmacies and tobacco giants compete for e-cigarette market share, and e-cigarette taxation and prescription management have become the focus of industry controversy. https://thepattayanews.com/2024/12/11/thailand-to-debate-legalizing-e-cigarettes-amid-nearly-600000-opponents-signing-petition-in-protest/

Austria

1. On Dec. 11, the Austrian authorities plan to introduce a new tax on e-cigarettes, which are currently subject to a 20% sales tax on e-cigarettes and their cartridges. The Austrian government wants the tax reform to increase revenues to the state budget by around 100 million euros per year. https://goias.gov.br/procon/procon-goias-autua-facebook-sobre-publicidade-de-cigarros-eletronicos/

Germany

1. On Dec. 12, delegates from several German states supported amending the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act to restrict the use of disposable e-cigarettes, which will be discussed by members in December and voted for a national ban. https://www.residuosprofesional.com/alemania-prohibicion-cigarrillos-electronicos-desechables/

Indonesia

1. On Dec. 12, the agency under the Indonesian Ministry of Finance announced that the retail price of traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes will increase in 2025 and is preparing to print a new tobacco tax logo in 2025 in coordination with the Indonesian National. https://www.kompas.tv/ekonomi/559500/bea-cukai-umumkan-harga-jual-eceren-rokok-konvensional-dan-elektrik-naik-pada-2025

Bangladesh

1. On Dec. 12, the interim government of Bangladesh has decided to include e-cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) in the list of prohibited items, a policy adjustment led by the Ministry of Health to avoid future generations from being harmed by e-cigarette products. https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/pfuv0p3xn6

New Zealand

1. On Dec. 13, the government has pushed through smokefree changes under urgency overnight, banning disposable vapes and adding other restrictions on vape sales, which will take effect in six months. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/536508/government-pushes-through-changes-to-ban-disposable-vapes-add-restrictions-on-vape-sales