Anyang Issues Henan's First Fine for Selling E-Cigarettes to Minors

On July 1, according to Anyang Daily, on June 25 the Neihuang County Tobacco Monopoly Bureau in Anyang, Henan, imposed a fine of RMB 2,000 and confiscated RMB 107 in illegal gains from a vaping store in its jurisdiction for selling e-cigarettes to minors. This was the first administrative penalty ticket issued in Henan Province for selling e-cigarettes to minors.

Recently, the bureau received a public report that a local vaping store had sold e-cigarettes to minors. Upon receiving the report, tobacco monopoly enforcement officers, together with market supervision officers, immediately rushed to the location to inspect the store and question the parties involved. By checking the relevant sales receipts, they promptly secured evidence and confirmed the illegal act of selling e-cigarettes to minors.

After investigation, authorities determined that the conduct violated Article 59 of the Law on the Protection of Minors, infringing on the physical and mental health of minors, and imposed punishment in accordance with Article 123 of the same law.

To implement the newly revised Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Protection of Minors regarding protecting minors from tobacco-related harm, and to legally safeguard their health and legitimate rights and interests, the Municipal Tobacco Monopoly Bureau, under the unified deployment of the provincial tobacco monopoly bureau and provincial market supervision bureau, has since June 18 fully mobilized resources, carefully planned, performed its duties according to law, and strengthened accountability by launching the “Protect Growth” special campaign to protect minors from tobacco harm. This case of illegal e-cigarette sales to minors was quickly investigated and handled as part of that campaign.

It is reported that the “Protect Growth” special campaign will continue, with prevention first, combined prevention and control, and comprehensive governance as its guiding principles, to effectively protect the healthy development of minors.