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

Two agencies: Fully crack down on online disguised e-cigarette sales. According to news from the State Tobacco Administration on June 18, the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration and the State Administration for Market Regulation have formulated the "Special Action Plan for Protecting Minors from Tobacco Harm: "Guarding Growth". The plan mentions that continuous strengthening of e-cigarette market supervision is necessary.

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 tobacco sales points. They should urge operators to actively refuse requests from minors to purchase tobacco. For those whose age is difficult to determine, strict implementation of ID verification is required, and new technological means should be explored to improve verification effectiveness.

Regarding e-cigarettes, the plan mentions the need to continuously strengthen e-cigarette market supervision. A gradual establishment and improvement of the e-cigarette regulatory work system is necessary to enhance regulatory effectiveness, standardize e-cigarette production and operation activities, and prevent the resurgence of e-cigarette market chaos.

Continuous strengthening of internet channel control is essential. A comprehensive cleanup of disguised sales of e-cigarettes and false illegal advertisements on the internet is required. Local tobacco monopoly administrative departments should interview e-cigarette companies and internet companies, enforce their responsibilities, and prevent e-cigarettes from harming minors in the internet sector.

Guiding e-cigarette physical stores to operate legally and in a standardized manner is also necessary. Local tobacco monopoly administrative departments should comprehensively investigate e-cigarette sales points and register them. They should clean up and rectify illegal sales points and vending machines around campuses, and legally investigate and deal with illegal sales of e-cigarettes to minors, effectively protecting the legitimate rights and interests of minors.