Anyang Issues Henan's First Fine for Selling Vaping Devices to Minors

On July 1, news reported by Anyang Daily stated that on June 25, the Tobacco Monopoly Bureau of Neihuang County, Anyang, Henan, imposed a fine of 2000 yuan and confiscated illegal gains of 107 yuan from an e-cigarette experience store that sold e-cigarettes to minors. This is the first administrative penalty in the province for selling e-cigarettes to minors.

Recently, the bureau received reports from the public about an e-cigarette experience store in the area selling e-cigarettes to minors. Upon receiving the report, tobacco monopoly law enforcement officers, in conjunction with market supervision personnel, immediately went to the reported location to inspect the e-cigarette experience store. They questioned the parties involved and verified relevant sales receipts to secure evidence and confirm the illegal act of selling e-cigarettes to minors.

After investigation, it was determined that the actions of the parties involved violated Article 59 of the "Law on the Protection of Minors," infringing upon the physical and mental health of minors. According to Article 123 of the "Law on the Protection of Minors," penalties were imposed.

To implement the provisions of the newly revised "Law on the Protection of Minors in the People's Republic of China" regarding protecting minors from tobacco harm, and to legally safeguard and protect the physical health and legitimate rights and interests of minors, the provincial Tobacco Monopoly Bureau and the provincial Market Supervision Bureau, in accordance with a unified deployment, launched a special action called "Guarding Growth" on June 18, which quickly addressed this illegal act of selling e-cigarettes to minors.

It is reported that the "Guarding Growth" special action will continue to be implemented, focusing on prevention, combining prevention and treatment, and comprehensive governance to effectively protect the healthy growth of minors.