Huoqi Invited to the 2021 China Vaping Industry Standards Forum

Where is the path toward standardized development for the vaping industry?

On August 24, the 2021 China (Shenzhen) Vaping Industry Standardized Development Forum, themed “Responsibility First, Shared Prosperity,” was held in Shenzhen. The event was hosted by Southern Metropolis Daily and organized by Shenzhen Dajianshi Media. The forum focused in depth on standardized industry development and the protection of minors, bringing together leading vaping companies, experts and scholars from research institutions, and businesses from across the supply chain to discuss the healthy and compliant development of the vaping industry. Huoqi Vape, as a representative leading brand in the industry, was invited to attend the forum.

According to reports, this was the first vaping industry standardization forum initiated by an authoritative media organization and jointly participated in by companies, industry associations, research institutions, and other stakeholders. It carries positive significance for promoting the healthy and standardized development of the vaping industry.
 
As the world’s largest tobacco market, China has more than 300 million smokers, the highest number in the world. Since 2003, the domestic vaping industry has developed rapidly. Leveraging its strengths in electronics and foreign trade supply chains, Shenzhen has become the global hub for vaping products, accounting for 90% of production capacity. A number of leading vaping companies are concentrated in Shenzhen, and “Huoqi” is one of them.

Huoqi Vape is an e-cigarette brand under China Boton Group, the first fragrance and flavor company in China to be listed in Hong Kong. It has a full industrial chain integrating R&D, manufacturing, branding, and sales. In 2020, Huoqi, backed by strong capabilities, acquired two Italian vape brands, SAVINELLI and NOS, in one move. Together with its flagship brand ammo, these brands target different consumer segments such as high-end and affordable luxury markets.
 
At the roundtable forum titled “Protecting Growth, Shared Industry Prosperity: The Responsibility and Accountability of Vaping Companies,” Huoqi Deputy General Manager Zhao Hailun participated in the discussion as a brand representative.
 
Zhao Hailun said: “As a brand owner, Huoqi is committed to fully implementing management measures throughout the entire process to ensure that vaping products are not sold to minors. In 2019, Huoqi launched the ‘Angel Guardian Program,’ requiring all partners—from the brand itself to distributors, store owners, and sales staff—not to sell e-cigarettes to minors. In addition to posting relevant notices in prominent locations in stores, we also use rigorous procedures such as pre-job training, age verification processes, and store supervision inspections to ensure that vaping products are not sold to minors.”

At this forum, Southern Metropolis Daily initiated the establishment of the “Vaping Industry Integrity and Self-Discipline Alliance.” As one of the first eight leading vaping companies, Huoqi became a member of the alliance and signed its charter.
 
How can the vaping industry move onto a path of standardized, regulated, and international development? How can product quality and safety be effectively ensured, and how can minors be protected from the harms of vaping? These are critical issues that must be seriously addressed as the industry moves forward, and they were the core purpose of this forum.

According to a report by Guojin Securities, in the long term, the harm reduction trend of e-cigarettes remains unchanged, and the vaping market is expected to continue expanding. In the future, “differentiation” will be the key factor determining whether a vaping brand survives. In August 2021, Huoqi launched its new annual product—the ammo Oscar Series. Refusing homogenization, Huoqi invested significant effort into this product, pioneering many new features such as a “smart interactive color screen, game interaction mode, and puff count record analysis.” In both design and functionality, it achieved several “firsts” among comparable products in the vaping industry.

From another perspective, this product also offers reference value and inspiration for the issue of “preventing minors from using vaping products.” For example, certain “child lock” functions can be added to vaping devices to reduce the likelihood of minors coming into contact with or using them. #p#Page Title#e#

As a new product category and emerging business format, e-cigarettes have already become a supplement to traditional tobacco products. With industry standards and regulatory policies still unresolved, the sector faces both opportunities and risks. While seeking development, vaping companies must first face the problems within the industry and earnestly fulfill their social responsibilities. In particular, protecting minors from the harms of vaping must become an industry-wide consensus and a non-negotiable red line. Only by consistently holding the line and actively fulfilling social responsibilities can the entire industry develop in a standardized, regulated, and international direction.