Vape Market Weekly News (March 22th to 28th, 2025 )

China

• March 23, 2025: During investigations in Shanghai, Guangdong, and Hunan, some middle school students reported widespread use of flavored e-cigarettes among peers. However, China banned the sale of non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes as early as March 2022. Source
• March 25, 2025: The Shenzhen Tobacco Monopoly Bureau, under the coordination of the State Tobacco Monopoly Bureau, launched a comprehensive crackdown on e-cigarette businesses, focusing on "offline loopholes, online cleanup, and source tracing." Source
• March 28, 2025: Beijing’s Dongcheng District Tobacco Monopoly Bureau discovered an e-cigarette retailer suspected of selling illegal products linked to Guangdong. A task force dismantled 6 production and sales gangs, raided 5 hideouts, seized illegal products worth over 5 million yuan, and detained 36 suspects. Total涉案金额: ~240 million yuan. Source

United States

• March 23, 2025: Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 3 to ban all consumable THC products statewide. The House is considering House Bill 28 for regulation instead of an outright ban. Current Texas law allows THC content below 0.3%. Source
• March 24, 2025: New Jersey Governor’s budget proposal aims to increase tobacco and e-cigarette taxes, raising liquid nicotine tax from $0.10/ml to $0.30/ml and e-liquid container tax from 10% to 30%. Source
• March 24, 2025: Three U.S. Congress members urged the Trump administration to intensify crackdowns on illegal e-cigarette sales, citing smuggling and rising youth usage. Source
• March 25, 2025: Utah’s SB61, banning flavored e-liquids (e.g., watermelon, bubblegum) and products with nicotine exceeding 4%, was upheld by Judge David Barlow. Vape shop owners warn of business collapse. Source
• March 27, 2025: E-cigarette firms adopt age-verification tech (e.g., Bluetooth locks, blockchain) to comply with FDA’s PMTA requirements. SMoore International’s 2024 report highlights client submissions with age-gating features. Source
• March 27, 2025: FDA stated that age-verification tech is a factor but not a guarantee for approval, especially for flavored products. Source
• March 27, 2025: Silly Nice announced price cuts for its premium vapes, aligning with MSO brands: 1G 510-thread cartridges at $40 and 2G all-in-one vapes at $80. Source
• March 27, 2025: FDA staff shortages under the Trump administration delay product reviews, including IQOS and e-cigarettes. Source

United Kingdom

• March 23, 2025: UK government advances the Tobacco and Vaping Bill, allocating £10 million for enforcement and 80 new officers to curb illicit products. Source
• March 24, 2025: The bill faces tobacco industry resistance as it proposes banning cigarette sales to those born after 2009 and restricts child-targeted e-cigarette branding. Source
• March 24, 2025: Vape Superstore reports 46% sales growth in nicotine-free e-liquids, driven by disposable vape bans. Source
• March 25, 2025: Haypp’s survey reveals 32% of UK vapers would buy illegal products post-disposable vape ban. Source
• March 26, 2025: The Tobacco and Vaping Bill passes third reading (366-41). Labour’s amendment to ban "modified" devices was rejected. Source
• March 26, 2025: Imperial Brands announces 2030 strategy to strengthen traditional tobacco and expand next-gen products (NGPs). Source
• March 26, 2025: ASH estimates a UK-wide smoking ban could generate £10B annually and create 135,000 jobs. Source
• March 27, 2025: Small retailers oppose advertising restrictions in the bill, citing rising operational costs. Source

Australia

• March 24, 2025: South Australia introduced new laws to combat illegal tobacco and e-cigarette trade, granting police expanded powers with fines up to $4.15 million. Provisions also penalize landlords supporting illegal activities. Source
• March 27, 2025: Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) seized over 5,000 e-cigarettes and 7,000 nicotine pouches in Sydney, valued at $360,000 AUD. Therapeutic e-cigarettes are only available in pharmacies for smoking cessation. Source

Thailand

• March 24, 2025: Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society blocked 9,515 e-cigarette-related social media accounts and websites, including X, Facebook, and TikTok. Source
• March 24, 2025: A parliamentary committee proposed three policy options for e-cigarettes: maintain ban, legalize heated tobacco (HTPs), or fully legalize e-cigarettes and HTPs. 26/35 members support legalization. Source
• March 26, 2025: Thailand’s Prime Minister announced cash rewards for citizens reporting e-cigarette use, offering up to 60% of fines collected. Source

France

• March 24, 2025: A report by ACT revealed over 200 social media influencers illegally promoted nicotine products to millions in the past five years. Source

Singapore

• March 24, 2025: Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority seized e-cigarettes worth SGD 200,000 and detained three suspects. Importing or selling e-cigarettes is illegal. Source

South Korea

• March 24, 2025: South Korea’s Tobacco Harm Management Act, effective November 1, mandates testing and public disclosure of harmful components in tobacco and e-cigarettes. Source
• March 24, 2025: BAT Korea expanded sales of its "VUSE GO SLIM 2ml" natural nicotine e-cigarettes to Gyeonggi Province. Source
• March 25, 2025: Over half of Gyeonggi Province’s e-cigarette shops failed to display youth restriction signs. Officials proposed designating them as "harmful to minors." Source
• March 26, 2025: A Consumer Agency investigation found "nicotine-free" e-cigarettes containing nicotine and unverified additives. Legislation on synthetic nicotine stalled. Source
• March 26, 2025: KT&G plans to expand overseas and focus on next-gen tobacco products (NGPs). Source

Russia

• March 25, 2025: Russia’s State Duma passed a bill to ban online sales of e-cigarettes and cigarettes, with direct website blocking authority. Source
• March 25, 2025: Lawmakers urged prosecutors to inspect kiosks near schools selling e-cigarettes using aggressive marketing. Source

Poland

• March 25, 2025: Poland’s Health Ministry proposed banning unregulated disposable e-cigarettes post-presidential elections. Experts express mixed views. Source

Italy

• March 25, 2025: Italian Customs Agency blocked 934 websites for illegal e-liquid sales, with 15 sites given until April 5 to comply. Source

Sweden

• March 25, 2025: Sweden enshrined tobacco harm reduction in public health policy, achieving a smoking rate below 5% via safer nicotine alternatives. Source

New Zealand

• March 26, 2025: The Lancet reported no decline in teen smoking rates despite e-cigarette adoption (1999–2023). Source

Vietnam

• March 26, 2025: Vietnam’s Justice Ministry proposed redefining e-cigarettes and heated tobacco in legislation to avoid enforcement ambiguities. Source

Bulgaria

• March 26, 2025: Bulgaria plans a full e-cigarette ban in 2025, citing youth protection, despite concerns about illegal trade and EU legal conflicts. Source

Kazakhstan

• March 26, 2025: Police seized 5,000 illegal e-cigarettes in Almaty, arresting two suspects. Source

Brazil

• March 27, 2025: São Paulo saw a sevenfold increase in e-cigarette seizures since 2024. Despite a 2009 ban, organized crime dominates illegal sales. Source

Philippines

• March 28, 2025: Five Chinese nationals were indicted for a $100 million tobacco tax evasion scheme. Source