Vape Market Weekly News (Jan. 18th to 24th, 2025)

Laws and regulations

China

• According to a report on January 19, under the guidance of relevant departments of the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, the Guangdong Provincial Tobacco Monopoly Administration and the Shenzhen Tobacco Monopoly Administration recently signed a cooperation agreement to jointly build an e-cigarette regulatory cooperation mechanism. https://www.eastobacco.com/ty/content/2025-01/19/content_1258903.html

USA

• On January 22, the city of Newton, Massachusetts, USA, recently passed a new regulation that prohibits the sale of tobacco products to people born after March 1, 2024. Previously, the state had raised the tobacco purchasing age to 21 and banned the sale of flavored tobacco products such as menthol cigarettes and flavored e-cigarettes. Newton has further adopted an intergenerational ban. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/01/22/metro/newton-ma-generational-tobacco-ban
• On January 22, it was reported that Washington state lawmakers are considering a bill that would ban the sale and promotion of flavored tobacco products such as e-cigarettes and menthol cigarettes from 2026. The bill also stipulates that any product approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can continue to be sold. Currently, the bill has entered the committee hearing stage, and lawmakers and the public are discussing the feasibility and impact of its implementation. https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/wa-lawmakers-flavored-nicotine-ban

Australia

• On January 22, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) issued a total of A$396,000 in fines to 20 retailers in Melbourne for allegedly illegally selling e-cigarette products. https://www.miragenews.com/melbourne-retailers-fined-400k-for-vape-1394891

Poland

• On January 18, the Polish government will discuss a draft amendment to include new product categories in the scope of consumption tax, including reusable e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, nicotine bags and other nicotine products. It is expected that the new tax rate will lead to a significant drop in the sales of disposable e-cigarettes, and the regulations will also expand the definition of "innovative products" to include more nicotine substitutes. https://www.dlahandlu.pl/raporty-i-analizy/akcyza-na-wielorazowe-e-papierosy-i-saszetki-nikotynowe-projekt-noweli,153873.html
• on January 19 , Polish customs seized 17,600 disposable e-cigarettes and e-liquids that exceeded the standard. During an inspection conducted by the Lublin Customs and Taxation Department of Poland in a customs warehouse in Helm, a total of 17,600 disposable e-cigarettes and 16,800 bottles of 30 ml e-cigarette oil were seized. These e-cigarettes and e-liquids were not labeled with Poland's consumption tax logo, and the capacity of the e-cigarettes far exceeded the regulations, and the nicotine content of the e-liquid also exceeded the legal standard. https://bialasiedzieje.pl/informacje-bialskie/biala-podlaska-nielegalne-e-papierosy-znalezione-w-skladzie-celnym/EFRyYrL4DGhqUJUOIzt9
• Reported on January 21, Poland amended the health protection law: prohibiting the sale of e-cigarettes and nicotine bags to minors. The Polish government passed a draft amendment to the "Health Protection Law against the Consequences of Tobacco and Tobacco Products", prohibiting the sale of all e-cigarette products (including disposable, reusable, nicotine-containing and nicotine-free products) and nicotine bags to minors. The new regulations include a ban on the sale of nicotine-free e-cigarettes in vending machines and online and a ban on their advertising. These regulations also apply to nicotine bags. These measures need to be notified to the European Commission, a process that takes three months, and she hopes that the House of Representatives will pass the bill. The provisions prohibiting the sale of e-cigarettes to minors will take effect 14 days after the bill is published. https://zachod.pl/1142254/rzad-przyjal-projekt-zakazujacy-sprzedazy-nieletnim-wszystkich-e-papierosow/

Denmark

• On January 20, Danish customs reportedly seized up to 2,669 disposable e-cigarettes in a Danish car at the Padborg border crossing. The owner of the car could face a fine of up to 1.2 million kroner ($170,000) for suspected illegal e-cigarettes. https://www.nordschleswiger.dk/de/polizei-und-zollwesen-finden-2669-einweg-e-zigaretten-einem-auto-12-millionen-kronen-strafe

Germany

• On January 23 , German customs seized 50 pallets of e-cigarette products. Chinese suspects were investigated for law enforcement. On January 23, the Customs Investigation Bureau of Essen, Germany, announced that 50 European standard pallets containing illegal e-cigarettes were seized during an enforcement operation on January 16. An investigation was launched into three Afghan and Chinese citizens aged between 25 and 42 who were suspected of importing, storing and reselling untaxed and non-compliant e-cigarettes in Germany. https://www.presseportal.de/blaulicht/pm/116257/5955371
• On January 23, German customs seized untaxed e-cigarettes and initiated criminal prosecution on the spot. On January 18, 2025, during the tax supervision inspection, Dortmund Customs seized about 6,000 illegal disposable e-cigarettes totaling 37.68 liters of untaxed e-liquid. Criminal prosecution was initiated on the spot due to tax fraud, violation of the New Psychoactive Substances Act and the Tobacco Products Act. https://www.zoll.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/DE/Zigaretten/2025/z95_steuerausichtskontrolle_do.html

Russia

• According to a report on January 18, the Russian government recently issued a new regulation to restrict the use of non-smoking additives in tobacco products. This regulation will affect chewing tobacco and snuff and is scheduled to take effect from March 1, 2025. According to the new regulations, nicotine salts, ammonium, ammonia, acetaldehyde and sugars shall not be added to tobacco products. https://pronedra.ru/zapret-na-ispolzovanie-nekuritelnyh-dobavok-v-tabachnyh-izdeliyah-narushiteli-ponesut-sereznoe-nakazanie-761445.html
• On January 20, it was reported that at a meeting of the Russian State Duma, State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin proposed preparing a cross-factional legislative proposal to ban the sale of e-cigarettes and related e-liquids, and strive to review it before the end of this session. Volodin said that almost all factions agree to a complete ban on the sale of e-cigarettes. Currently, the State Duma Health Protection Committee is preparing for the first review of two related bills. http://duma.gov.ru/news/60752/
• January 21 , the Russian State Duma passed a bill in the second and third readings, significantly increasing the fines for selling tobacco, e-cigarettes and hookahs to minors. The fine for individuals is up to 300,000 rubles, the fine for officials is up to 700,000 rubles, and the fine for legal entities is up to 2 million rubles. https://ria.ru/20250121/veypy-1994790226.html

the Philippines

• on January 20 , the Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) recently stated that more lawsuits will be filed against illegal e-cigarette importers and distributors in 2025 because many retailers are still selling unregistered products. BIR's tax revenue in 2024 reached 2.86 trillion pesos (49 billion U.S. dollars). It is expected that by 2025, BIR's tax revenue will reach 3.232 trillion pesos (55 billion U.S. dollars). https://www.eastobacco.com/ty/content/2025-01/19/content_1258903.html

Malaysia

• According to a report on January 23, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) recently cracked down on an e-cigarette smuggling gang that has been active in the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Free Trade Zone since 2023 and evaded inspection by bribing law enforcement officers. The operation, codenamed "Op Airways", arrested 16 people and seized e-cigarettes and related items worth 18 million ringgit (about 4.04 million US dollars). https://www.nst.com.my/news/crime-courts/2025/01/1165092/updated-enforcement-officers-paid-rm4000-rm6000-daily-vape

Switzerland

• On January 22, the Swiss police in Regensdorf seized 96 kilograms of e-cigarette products, totaling more than 1,100 pieces, with an estimated value of about 20,000 Swiss francs (about 22,068.74 U.S. dollars) during a commercial inspection. The police found that the e-cigarettes and disposable cartridges in the store had exceeded the legal standards, and some even exceeded the standards several times. The person in charge of the store has been prosecuted by the police. https://www.zuonline.ch/razzia-in-regensdorf-polizei-stellt-96-kilogramm-e-zigaretten-sicher-464994347039

Thailand

• on January 20 , the Thai National Assembly's Special Committee on E-cigarettes proposed three smokeless tobacco control options for discussion: ① Continue to completely ban e-cigarette devices, but strengthen legal amendments to more strictly enforce the ban; ② Legalize heated tobacco while continuing to ban e-cigarettes; ③ Legalize all heated tobacco and e-cigarettes, but implement strict control measures. The third option received the highest vote support and suggested legalizing all heated tobacco and e-cigarettes. This may help limit smuggling and increase tax revenue. However, it may also increase the risk of young people being exposed to these products. https://www.nordschleswiger.dk/de/polizei-und-zollwesen-finden-2669-einweg-e-zigaretten-einem-auto-12-millionen-kronen-strafe
• On January 22, the Thai Cyber Police launched an operation in the Suvarnabhumi area of Bangkok, destroying two illegal e-cigarette storage dens and seizing more than 20,000 e-cigarettes and related accessories. https://www.bangkokbiznews.com/news/news-update/1163329

Türkiye

• According to a report on January 19, the Turkish Ministry of Finance Tax Inspection Bureau (VDK) launched a special investigation into e-cigarettes, analyzed financial transactions of more than 20 billion liras (US$560 million), and checked the business behavior of more than 50,000 taxpayers. Finally, the bureau found illegal e-cigarette transactions worth 300 million liras (US$8.5 million). https://bialasiedzieje.pl/informacje-bialskie/biala-podlaska-nielegalne-e-papierosy-znalezione-w-skladzie-celnym/EFRyYrL4DGhqUJUOIzt9

Greece

• on January 23 , the Greek Ministry of Health will propose a stricter draft bill to strengthen control over the sale and use of new tobacco and nicotine products. The draft proposes to restrict the sale of any tobacco-related products to minors, including e-cigarettes, atomization products and synthetic nicotine products. The use of these products by adults in public places will also be restricted. The location and time of sale of such products will be strictly regulated, and age verification will be strengthened at the point of sale. In addition, the bill proposes to establish a new department within the Greek National Public Health Organization (EODY) to monitor and enforce the revised law. https://www.ekathimerini.com/in-depth/society-in-depth/1259406/age-laws-for-alcohol-tobacco-set-to-tighten/

Singapore

• According to a report on January 24, the Singapore Health Sciences Authority (HSA), in conjunction with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and the Singapore Police Force, dismantled an illegal e-cigarette distribution network earlier this month and seized more than 8,700 e-cigarettes. https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20250124-5782673

U.K.

• On January 20, the UK government’s official website released guidance on the ban on disposable e-cigarettes. The document clarifies the definition of disposable e-cigarettes and specific details such as the penalties that retailers who violate the ban may face. http://duma.gov.ru/news/60752/
• On January 21 , it was reported that since the launch of the raid in September 2024, the Birmingham City Council in the UK has seized 10,374 illegal e-cigarettes from shops across the city. E-cigarettes can be taken for more than 18,000 puffs, which is far beyond the legal limit. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/biggest-raid-birmingham-among-councils-30832191

Vietnam

• on January 21 , the Economic Security Division of the Thai Nguyen Provincial Public Security Bureau in Vietnam revealed that it is handling a case involving more than 700 electronic cigarette sales without legal certificates. At present, the police have temporarily seized all the above items and will conduct further verification and processing in accordance with the law. https://kinhtedothi.vn/thai-nguyen-tam-giu-hang-tram-san-pham-thuoc-la-dien-tu.html
• on January 24 , the Vietnamese Ministry of Health has issued a notice to the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Ministry of Education and Training, requiring them to effectively strengthen the implementation of National Assembly Resolution No. 173/2024/QH15. The resolution comprehensively prohibits the production, operation, import, concealment, transportation and use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. https://vneconomy.vn/thuc-hien-nghiem-quy-dinh-cam-ban-thuoc-la-dien-tu-thuoc-la-nung-nong.htm

Industry News

China

• In 2024, China's e-cigarette exports will reach nearly 11 billion US dollars, with the United States, Britain and South Korea firmly in the top three. In December 2024, China's e-cigarette exports totaled approximately 1.011 billion US dollars, an increase of 8.8% month-on-month and a decrease of 7.9% year-on-year. Based on the full-year data for 2024, China's e-cigarette exports to other countries will reach nearly 11 billion US dollars, a year-on-year decrease of 1.11%. Looking at the whole year of 2024: the United States' leading position will be strengthened; the European market will show a differentiated situation; emerging markets such as Japan and the United Arab Emirates will rise rapidly; although there is demand in the Southeast Asian market (such as Malaysia) and Russia, policy fluctuations and the economic environment will have a certain impact on their growth. https://www.2firsts.cn/news/detail?menu=news&id=13222

USA

• The U.S. Supreme Court will hear the case of British American Tobacco challenging FDA rules. The venue of the lawsuit is about to be decided . The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments between British American Tobacco's subsidiary RJR Vapor and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday (21st). The FDA claimed that the Tobacco Control Act allows cases to be heard in the Washington, D.C. Circuit Court, the plaintiff's location or its principal place of business. However, British American Tobacco's subsidiary RJR Vapor attempted to challenge the FDA in the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Louisiana. https://tobaccoreporter.com/2025/01/21/fda-tobacco-case-heads-to-supreme-court/
• Philip Morris International releases white paper: New tobacco innovation has great potential, but needs to deal with misleading information and policy lags. An independent survey commissioned by Philip Morris International (PMI) and conducted by Povaddo in 10 countries in Africa, America, Asia and Europe and its white paper "Innovation under Pressure: Mastering Complexity to Drive Change" show that most people firmly believe that innovation has the potential to address the most critical issues in the next 10 to 20 years. However, misleading information and policy lags have hindered the advancement of innovation, especially in the fields of new tobacco and e-cigarettes. The survey shows that the public is divided on whether e-cigarettes can reduce smoking rates, and calls on the government to provide accurate information and formulate fair regulatory measures. https://www.pmi.com/media-center/press-releases/press-details/?newsId=28301

Australia

• The Victorian government and the education department of Australia recently jointly launched an e-cigarette harm education program for primary school seniors, aiming to prevent teenagers from forming e-cigarette use habits through early intervention. According to the plan, fifth and sixth grade students in public, Catholic and private schools in Victoria will receive relevant education. The course content will cover the harm of e-cigarettes, the risk of nicotine addiction and how to resist the temptation of e-cigarettes. https://www.smh.com.au/national/victoria/victorian-10-year-olds-to-learn-how-to-escape-the-vapes-20250122-p5l6b4.html

Brazil

• In 2024, the Brazilian Federal Highway Police (PRF) seized more than 623,000 e-cigarettes and similar devices on Brazilian federal roads, an increase of 153% from 246,000 in 2023. Among all the seized devices, Paraná State ranked first with 525,000, followed by Sao Paulo State (41,000) and the southern state of Mato Grosso (30,000). https://www.metro1.com.br/noticias/brasil/160352,apreensao-de-cigarros-eletronicos-cresce-153-nas-rodovias-federais-em-2024
• The Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) canceled its planned visit to British American Tobacco (BAT) in London to avoid being misunderstood as reopening the discussion on the authorization of e-cigarettes in Brazil. The agency stressed that "DEF (electronic smoking devices) are prohibited in Brazil and there are currently no new facts that justify reopening the discussion on this topic". https://jornaldebrasilia.com.br/noticias/politica-e-poder/anvisa-cancela-viagem-de-diretores-a-fabricante-de-cigarros-em-londres/

Russia

• Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of the Russian State Duma, launched a survey in his Telegram channel, asking subscribers whether they support a complete ban on the sale of e-cigarettes and their e-liquids. Among them, 88% of voters expressed support for the ban. https://rg.ru/2025/01/18/volodin-sprosil-mnenie-grazhdan-o-polnom-zaprete-prodazhi-vejpov.html

the Philippines

• Romeo Lumagui Jr., Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, said good governance and enforcement actions against false receipts and illegal transactions of tobacco and vaping products have enabled the BIR to achieve a multi-billion-peso surplus by 2024. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1242161

Mexico

• Mexico has officially banned the production, sale and distribution of e-cigarettes and vaping devices. The new law came into effect on January 18, 2025, criminalizing all activities related to e-cigarettes, vaping devices and similar systems. https://see.news/mexico-implements-nationwide-ban-on-e-cigarettes

U.K.

• According to the latest research from University College London (UCL), the phenomenon of "dual use" (i.e. using traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes at the same time) in the UK is on the rise. The study found that in 2016, about 3.5% of adults in the UK used cigarettes and e-cigarettes at the same time, and by 2024, this proportion will rise to 5.2%. https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/national/24877924.one-20-adults-england-smoke-vape---study

Vietnam

• Vietnam has completely banned e-cigarettes since January 1, 2025, but online sales are still active. E-cigarettes are openly sold on platforms such as Facebook and Zalo. Merchants promote them by means of "clearance" and "buy one get one free", and disguise them as cosmetics to evade inspection. Although Vietnam has strengthened supervision, online transactions are hidden and illegal sales are difficult to eradicate. https://baothanhhoa.vn/sau-lenh-cam-van-khong-kho-de-mua-thuoc-la-dien-tu-237287.htm