Xiao Yaqing Again Stresses Cracking Down on Illicit Tobacco Trade and Regulating Vapes

On January 18, the 2021 National Tobacco Work Video Conference was held in Beijing.
 
At the meeting, Xiao Yaqing emphasized the need to effectively raise political awareness, strengthen proactive action, steadily advance the implementation of tobacco control treaty obligations, and earnestly carry out work such as cracking down on illicit tobacco trade and regulating vaping products.

It is understood that since Xiao Yaqing took office in August 2020 as Party Secretary and Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, this is the second time he has called within the tobacco system for stronger regulation of vaping products.

On December 22 last year, Xiao Yaqing visited the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration for a research tour, inspected the cigarette production and business decision-making management system, viewed demonstration results from pilot projects on the tobacco industry industrial internet platform, and held discussions with the leadership team. During the visit, Xiao Yaqing stressed that the tobacco industry should proceed from actual work conditions, coordinate reform and development, remain grounded and proactive, and take the first solid step at the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan while showing a new outlook. He also said the industry should stay people-centered and do solid work in areas such as cracking down on illicit tobacco trade and strengthening the regulation of vaping products.