Vaping Sales Channels in Major Western Countries During the Pandemic

As the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly spread, Europe and the United States faced severe outbreaks. Under the impact of the pandemic, most cities in Europe and the United States gradually entered a state of emptiness, with some countries announcing the cessation of all gatherings.

Europe and the United States are the main markets for domestic electronic cigarette exports. The local governments' control measures regarding electronic cigarette channels during the pandemic have had a significant impact on domestic electronic cigarette exports. What is the current situation of electronic cigarette channels in Europe and the United States? Based on our understanding, we have compiled some statistics on the electronic cigarette channels in major European and American countries for your reference.

United States

It is understood that the online electronic cigarette sales website—Rzsmoke is still available for purchase, while the main offline sales channels such as convenience stores and gas stations are still operating.

United Kingdom

As of March 24 local time, the UK's largest electronic cigarette retailer VPZ closed all 155 of its nationwide stores under government and WHO warnings.

However, later reports from the Press Association (UK) indicated that UK regulators were concerned that COVID-19 might pose health risks to smokers continuing to purchase traditional tobacco products, thus allowing vapor electronic cigarette chains to continue operating to meet consumer demand for such new products.
 
France

In the face of the grim COVID-19 pandemic, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced a level 3 COVID-19 alert on March 14, requiring all non-essential stores to close, leaving only restaurants, pharmacies, and tobacco shops open. Electronic cigarette shops were not included in the list of authorized businesses to continue operating. However, they could still deliver orders through delivery or pickup methods.

However, in an amendment to the decree, electronic cigarette shops were allowed to reopen as long as they took all necessary precautions to avoid the spread of the coronavirus, being considered as serving the "public interest."
 
Italy

To curb the spread of the pandemic, the Italian government implemented strict measures, such as banning all public gatherings, closing schools, and requiring most businesses, including bars and restaurants, to cease operations. Initially, electronic cigarette shops were also included in the closure list, but now the ban has been lifted.

World-renowned scientist Dr. Riccardo Polosa, known for reducing the harm of electronic cigarettes and tobacco, successfully persuaded the Italian government to exempt electronic cigarette shops from the closure measures due to the spread of COVID-19.

On March 13, the Ministry of Health and the Italian Prime Minister issued a statement allowing electronic cigarette shops to operate, in addition to tobacco shops.
 
Spain

Similar to Italy, electronic cigarette shops were classified as essential businesses and allowed to continue operating during the pandemic.

Canada

On March 23, Ontario Premier Doug Ford released a list of essential services that would continue to operate during the COVID-19 outbreak. Although the list included businesses based on alcohol and cannabis, adult-only electronic cigarette shops and manufacturers and distributors of electronic cigarette products were not explicitly listed.

However, the Canadian Vaping Association (CVA) urged the government to allow electronic cigarette shops to operate during the pandemic and encouraged continued online ordering and payment to minimize cash handling and reduce physical interaction.
 
Malta

(A small country in Southern Europe): Allowed purchases through delivery methods.

The pandemic is still spreading in Europe and the United States, and the measures taken by governments are dynamically adjusting. The above statistics on channels are highly time-sensitive and are for reference only.

Due to limited understanding, if there are any inaccuracies, please feel free to leave comments below! For other unlisted European and American countries' market situations, we hope that electronic cigarette practitioners with knowledge will supplement in the comments below. Thank you in advance!

Finally, I want to say that the virus is the enemy of all humanity. Only when the world wins, and China wins can we truly normalize electronic cigarette exports. Let us wish all countries around the world to overcome the pandemic soon and wish the world to return to prosperity!

This article is reprinted from the electronic cigarette WeChat public account.