Two Agencies Order Full Crackdown on Hidden Online E-Cigarette Sales

On June 18, according to news from the State Tobacco Administration's website, the National Tobacco Monopoly Administration and the State Administration for Market Regulation have formulated the "Special Action Plan for Protecting Minors from Tobacco Harm: 'Guarding Growth'". It mentions that electronic cigarette market regulation will be continuously strengthened.

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 positions at retail tobacco outlets. They should urge operators to actively refuse requests from minors to purchase tobacco. For those who are difficult to determine whether they are minors, strict implementation of ID verification should be enforced, exploring the use of new technological means to improve verification effectiveness.

Regarding electronic cigarettes, the plan mentions that electronic cigarette market regulation will be continuously strengthened. A sound electronic cigarette regulatory work system will be gradually established to enhance regulatory effectiveness, standardize electronic cigarette production and operation activities, and prevent the resurgence of chaos in the electronic cigarette market.

Continuous strengthening of internet channel control is also emphasized. A comprehensive cleanup of internet behaviors that disguise or indirectly sell electronic cigarettes and false illegal advertisements will be conducted. Local tobacco monopoly administrative departments should interview electronic cigarette companies and internet companies to enforce their responsibilities and prevent electronic cigarettes in the internet field from harming minors.

Guiding physical electronic cigarette stores to operate legally and规范 is also part of the plan. Local tobacco monopoly administrative departments should comprehensively investigate electronic cigarette sales outlets and register them. They should clean up and rectify illegal sales outlets and vending machines around campuses, and legally investigate and deal with illegal sales of electronic cigarettes to minors, effectively protecting the legal rights and interests of minors.