Two Agencies: Fully Crack Down on Online E-Cigarette Sales in Disguise

On June 18, according to the National Tobacco Administration's website, the National Tobacco Monopoly Bureau and the State Administration for Market Regulation have developed the "Special Action Plan for Protecting Minors from Tobacco Harm: 'Guarding Growth'." The plan mentions the continuous strengthening of e-cigarette market regulation.

The plan states that local tobacco monopoly administrative departments should accelerate the organization of posting warning slogans or special promotional signs prohibiting the sale of tobacco to minors in prominent locations at tobacco sales points. They should urge operators to actively refuse requests from minors to purchase tobacco. For cases where it is difficult to determine whether someone is a minor, strict implementation of ID verification should be enforced, exploring the use of new technological means to improve verification effectiveness.

Regarding e-cigarettes, the plan mentions the continuous strengthening of e-cigarette market regulation. A gradual establishment of a sound e-cigarette regulatory work system should be implemented to enhance regulatory effectiveness, standardize e-cigarette production and operation activities, and prevent the resurgence of e-cigarette market chaos.

There will be ongoing strengthening of internet channel control. A comprehensive cleanup of internet activities that disguise or indirectly sell e-cigarettes and false illegal advertisements will be conducted. Local tobacco monopoly administrative departments will interview e-cigarette companies and internet companies to enforce their responsibilities and prevent e-cigarettes from harming minors in the internet domain.

Guidance for e-cigarette physical stores to operate legally and in compliance with regulations will be provided. Local tobacco monopoly administrative departments will comprehensively investigate e-cigarette sales points and register them. They will clean up and rectify illegal sales points and vending machines around campuses, and legally investigate and punish illegal sales of e-cigarettes to minors, effectively protecting the legitimate rights and interests of minors.