E-cigarettes named on the 315 Gala: where is the industry headed?

E-Cigarettes Named on the 315 Gala: Where Is the Industry Headed? The 315 Gala's mention of e-cigarettes marks a sleepless night for those in the e-cigarette industry, with the sword of Damocles hanging over them.

At the beginning of 2019, e-cigarettes were at the center of controversy, with too much restlessness, too many radical entrepreneurs, and too much capital flooding in, making this contentious industry quite turbulent.

Fortunately, this timely rain has awakened everyone, causing many opportunistic investors who rushed in to make quick money to retreat. Now, it is time for e-cigarette brands that wish to persist to reflect: Who's cheese have you moved? Have you understood the dangers of e-cigarettes? Are you concerned about smokers' health? Are you replacing cigarettes for smokers, or is this just a good business?

Controversial E-Cigarettes

Originally designed as a "substitute" to help quit smoking, e-cigarettes seem to have shifted away from "quitting" as their main selling point. The controversies surrounding this industry have never ceased:

Supporters often cite a statement from the UK Department of Health, which claims that e-cigarettes reduce harm by 95% compared to traditional cigarettes;

Conversely, opponents reference cases from multiple countries that have banned e-cigarettes, concluding that their harm is no less than that of traditional cigarettes;

As the e-cigarette market continues to grow, the voices of controversy are becoming louder.

Many attribute this to the disruption of the traditional tobacco market, while the ambiguous marketing by e-cigarette companies has also contributed to making e-cigarettes a focal point of contention.

Behind the chaos lies a lack of evaluation standards and market supervision, leading to serious consumer misguidance by unscrupulous businesses. Many e-cigarette brand leaders believe that the chaos in the e-cigarette industry has become a "tumor" disrupting the order of the industry, urgently needing cleanup and regulation. The e-cigarette market needs oversight.
A Blank Market and Lack of Regulation Fueling Entrepreneurial Gold Rush

While many countries begin to regulate e-cigarettes, in China, the e-cigarette industry is still developing in a rough and unregulated environment. The vast, untapped market has drawn many entrepreneurs' attention:

The 315 Gala showcased the e-cigarette product from RELX, which has achieved a monthly sales volume of 60 million pods, and this brand reached its current success in just one year;

Many industry elites have crossed over to establish e-cigarette brands, including Flow by Luo Yonghao, YOOZ, LINX, and several other new brands like BTM, Wel, and EVOVE, all aiming to match RELX's achievements and fully commit to this sector;

However, the rapid development of the e-cigarette industry in China has not been matched by timely regulation.

E-Cigarettes: The Golden Triangle of Lack of Regulation

In the United States and several Asian countries, e-cigarettes are classified as "tobacco products" and regulated by tobacco authorities; in Europe, Japan, and Taiwan, they are categorized as "medical products" for management.

Notably, the UK and France have adopted a classification regulation strategy based on the efficacy of e-cigarettes, treating products that meet the definitions of drugs or medical devices as medical products (others are considered tobacco products).

For example, in France, when e-cigarettes and e-liquids are used for smoking cessation, they are regarded as medical products regardless of nicotine content or concentration. However, if used for non-smoking cessation purposes, products with nicotine content ≥10mg or concentration ≥20mg/ml require medical licensing to be classified as medical products.
In China, the status of e-cigarettes is quite awkward.

In China, technology companies have taken the lead in the e-cigarette market, with entry barriers for e-cigarettes being much lower than for "tobacco products" or "medical products." The government has not stepped in to clarify whether tobacco or health departments should set standards. The lack of policy in the Chinese e-cigarette market resembles a triangle lacking regulation.

It's like a game where the referee does not announce the rules and then penalizes players for incorrect actions.

Currently, information from e-cigarette manufacturers indicates a complete shortage of nicotine. It is important to note that nicotine salt, a key component of e-liquids, is derived from nicotine, and there has never been a shortage of nicotine on the market. This sudden shortage is suspicious and may indicate unseen interference.
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Self-Regulation and Initiatives Under the 315 Warning

Only by resolving the controversies can this industry take on greater responsibility.

The mention of e-cigarettes in the 315 Gala serves as a warning to consumers. We urge every colleague in the e-cigarette industry to take this seriously, actively fulfill social responsibilities, and provide consumers with reliable smoking alternatives and cessation products with strict standards. We hope the government will quickly formulate regulatory laws and regulations for the e-cigarette industry, strictly standardizing product quality. At the same time, we must care for the health of young people and never sell e-cigarette products to minors. Only in this way can the e-cigarette industry develop further and grow stronger.