Vape Market Weekly News (Feb. 9th to 14th, 2025 )

Expo

From Feb. 12 to 13, 2025, the UAE International Shisha Exhibition held in Dubai.

From Feb. 12 to 15, 2025, Champs Trade Shows held at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

China

On Feb. 9, 2025, Hong Kong, China, plans to ban the possession and use of e-cigarette products in public places from mid-2026, and submitted the relevant policy to the Legislative Council for review in April this year. Source

On Feb. 10, 2025, 2Firsts has an exclusive interview with Nico Orgo, India's leading nicotine company, and his views: ● The rise of smokeless nicotine products: With the stricter regulation of disposable e-cigarettes in various countries, the market is transforming to tasteless and smokeless nicotine products. ● Tighter regulations on disposable e-cigarettes: Governments around the world have tightened controls, which Laijawala believes may drive a resurgence of liquid nicotine products and non-e-cigarette alternatives. ● Natural Nicotine vs Synthetic Nicotine: Nico Orgo prefers natural nicotine and considers it superior to synthetic nicotine for its chemical stability and organoleptic properties. Source

Kazakhstan

On Feb. 10, 2025, Kazakh police seized 2,500 illegal e-cigarettes, worth about $30,000. It is reported that the suspect used well-known communication software and social media platforms to open an online store for the sale of e-cigarettes. Source

USA

On Feb. 9, 2025, U.S. Senator Carol Alvarado of Texas has introduced a bill to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and menthol products. The bill, which has a fine mechanism of up to \$3,000 for violators, is scheduled to go into effect on September 1. Source

On Feb. 10, 2025, South Dakota passed the E-cigarette Sales Act, which requires merchants to obtain a distribution license, each sales site needs to apply separately, and the distributor must also obtain manufacturer certification. The bill is now before the South Dakota Senate. Source

On Feb. 11, 2025, in Michigan, USA, a number of e-cigarette cartridges under the BLOOM Classic and BLOOM Live brands have been voluntarily recalled due to the discovery that some e-cigarettes containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) contain the potentially harmful ingredient Medium Chain Triglyceride (MCT). Source

On Feb. 11, 2025, the U.S. state of New York proposes to legislate a ban on flavored nicotine pouches because these flavors are considered appealing to minors. However, experts say the ban could lead to the emergence of an illicit market, which in turn would make it more accessible to teenagers. Source

On Feb. 13, 2025, retailers opposed North Dakota's plan to raise taxes on related products such as e-cigarettes for the first time since 1993, and the commission questioned whether raising taxes would actually discourage minors from using these products. Source

On Feb. 13, 2025, British American Tobacco CEO Tadeu Marocco said on Thursday that he hoped the new administration of US President Donald Trump could crack down on the huge market for illegal e-cigarettes in the United States. Source

Malaysia

On Feb. 10, 2025, Malay manufacturer Nanostix claimed that a complete ban on e-cigarettes is not a just and effective solution, and law enforcement should be strengthened to avoid the proliferation of illegal e-cigarette products. Source

On Feb. 14, 2025, After the entry into force of Malaysia's "Public Health Smoking Products Control Act 2024", although online searches for "e-cigarettes" have been fruitless, relevant products can still be found through specific brands, and some sellers even openly sell suspicious e-cigarette oil with the label "mushrooms". Source

UK

On Feb. 10, 2025, the Northern Ireland Parliament voted to include new tobacco and e-cigarette legislation in the UK, banning people born after 2009 from buying tobacco products, extending the ban to include e-cigarettes. Source

South Korea

On Feb. 10, 2025, South Korea's parliament failed to pass a proposal to regulate synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes, and some lawmakers questioned the results of the study on the harmfulness of synthetic nicotine and worried about the impact on e-cigarette operators. The Planning and Finance Committee will conduct further deliberations after soliciting opinions. Source

On Feb. 12, 2025, due to the opposition of some members of the South Korean parliament, the bill on the regulation of synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes has been shelved again. 1. Synthetic nicotine e-cigarette companies accelerate the penetration of the synthetic nicotine market through mobile app ordering and instant delivery services. Source

On Feb. 13, 2025, South Korea prohibits the consignment of mobile power banks and e-cigarettes by air, and the number and capacity of carry-on are strictly limited: · 100Wh: up to 5; 100Wh~160Wh: up to 2;· Above 160Wh: Prohibited. Source

Australia

On Feb. 11, 2025, Police seized more than 17,000 e-cigarettes at a stop inspection in southern NSW, with an estimated black market value of up to \$873,000. and charges were brought against a man. Source

Canada

On Feb. 11, 2025, the Canadian government has suspended the ban on e-cigarette flavors, with some tobacco harm reduction advocates concerned that the move is related to the upcoming federal elections rather than based on scientific and health considerations. Source

On Feb. 12, 2025, CEA Industries Inc., a Canadian agricultural service provider, is expected to close in the first half of 2025 with the acquisition of e-cigarette retailer Fat Panda to expand the Canadian market and optimize its business layout. Source

Bulgaria

On Feb. 11, 2025, the Economic Committee of the Bulgarian Parliament passed a bill to completely ban e-cigarettes and similar products, regardless of whether they contain nicotine or not. Source

On Feb. 11, 2025, since the beginning of the year, 10 people in the Bulgarian capital have been arrested for selling and selling e-cigarettes containing cannabis. The president convened experts to consult on national public health issues, and the relevant authorities decided to pass legislation to ban the sale of e-cigarettes containing cannabis, even those with flavors. Source

On Feb. 12, 2025, the Bulgarian parliament passed a ban on e-cigarettes in the first reading, requiring the Ministry of Internal Affairs to conduct 24-hour monitoring of the advertising, promotion and sale of e-cigarettes and other goods containing drugs or their analogues on the Internet. Source

On Feb. 13, 2025, discord Vape, an e-cigarette consumer organization, petitioned the European Parliament against the ban on e-cigarettes in Bulgaria. The group argues that the ban is discriminatory, violates citizens' right to free choice, and can create an illicit market and harm the economic interests of small and medium-sized enterprises. Source

Switzerland

On Feb. 11, 2025, the Swiss canton of Basel-Stadt has refused to impose a one-time e-cigarette ban, but is sympathetic to the ban and is following the national discussion. In the cantons of Valais and Jura, parliament has decided to ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes, while discussions are also underway at the federal level. Source

Brazil

On Feb. 11, 2025, the Brazilian state legislator of Mato Grosso has proposed that anyone who sells, imports or advertises e-cigarettes without being registered with Anvisa faces two to four years in prison and fines. The proposal is currently under consideration in the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies. Source

On Feb. 12, 2025, Brazilian police intercepted more than 520,000 illegal e-cigarette products in the state of Paraná in 2024, accounting for more than 80% of the total seizures in the country and an increase of more than 250% compared to 2023. Source

On Feb. 13, 2025, PRF has seized 5,000 electronic cigarette devices (DEFs) with brands such as ELFBAR and IGNITE in Guairah, in a joint operation with the Federal Tax Service. The driver who committed the crime has been detained and charged with e-cigarette smuggling. Source

Philippines

On Feb. 12, 2025, the Philippine Customs Service seized $1.5 billion worth of smuggled goods in 2024, with e-cigarette products as the key targets. In addition, 56 non-compliant importers were decertified. Source

Maldives

On Feb. 12, 2025, the Maldives issued new rules that give police the power to seize and destroy e-cigarette devices, while imposing hefty fines for possession, use, distribution and sale of e-cigarettes. Source

Russia

On Feb. 13, 2025, Russia's State Duma vetoed a proposal to ban smoking at public transport stations and within 5 meters, as well as near shops and other establishments under multi-family buildings. Reasons for the rejection include the lack of data on the ineffectiveness of existing smoking bans, and the fact that local governments already have the power to impose additional smoking restrictions in specific public places. Source

On Feb. 14, 2025, amendments to Russia's Law on Administrative Offences to increase penalties for the sale of tobacco products to minors came into force on the 14th. Violators can be fined up to $20,000. Source

France

On Feb. 13, 2025, the French Senate approved a ban on disposable e-cigarettes, becoming the second EU country to ban sales after Belgium. Previously, a survey showed that 47% of French teenagers said that their nicotine addiction started with e-cigarettes. Source

Thailand

On Feb. 13, 2025, Thai police seized more than 20,000 illegal e-cigarettes disguised as everyday items in Chanthaburi province, with a market value of about $180,000 to $200,000, and the seized products were suspected to bear the "MOTI" brand logo. Source