Vape Ads Accused of Exaggeration as Smokers Voice Doubts

According to news from the Heated Tobacco Information Network: In recent years, various electronic cigarettes have frequently appeared in the market. Journalists from relevant media have learned from the industrial and commercial departments that complaints regarding electronic cigarette products have been increasing, and the content of these complaints is almost identical. Industry insiders point out that the "ambiguous identity" and the lack of clear regulatory guidelines are the main reasons for the chaotic state of the domestic electronic cigarette market. Surge in Complaints, Electronic Cigarette Products Widely Questioned Mr. Lin is a long-time smoker who recently decided to quit smoking after being persuaded by his family. He saw an advertisement for a "detox cigarette" product, claiming that by using this electronic cigarette product, one could "100% cleanse the toxins from the body, successfully quit smoking, with a 7-day money-back guarantee." Mr. Lin spent 326 yuan to purchase a product, but after using it for a while, he found that he was unable to quit smoking successfully. He then filed a complaint with the Jianye District Consumer Association on the grounds that the product was ineffective. In the Jianye District Consumer Association, electronic cigarettes have become a recent hot topic for complaints. Statistics show that in the past two months, the Jianye Consumer Association has received eight similar complaints, involving multiple brands such as True Flavor, Detox Cigarette, and Light Flavor. According to incomplete statistics, since the beginning of this year, various consumer associations in Nanjing have received nearly a hundred inquiries and complaints regarding electronic cigarette products, with the main complaint content focusing on "ineffectiveness." Bold Advertising Claims, Imitating 'Zhonghua' Flavor, Featuring Ancient Secret Recipes Journalists have learned that electronic cigarette products typically consist of a cigarette device and cartridges, providing users with a lower nicotine intake than traditional cigarettes through simulated vapor, without harmful substances like tar, allowing smokers to gradually reduce their nicotine intake until they successfully quit smoking. Since their debut in the domestic market, electronic cigarette products have attracted the attention of many smokers, with huge market potential. The earliest electronic cigarette brand to make an impact in the domestic market, "Like Smoke," claimed to have monthly sales of 70 million yuan at its peak. The enormous market opportunity has attracted numerous manufacturers to compete for a share. Journalists have learned that there are at least dozens of brands participating in the chaotic domestic electronic cigarette market, with product prices ranging from a few hundred to over a thousand yuan. To capture the market, some electronic cigarette advertisements have been quite "bold." For example, one electronic cigarette claims, "Out of stock in the US, wildly ordered in Europe, sold out in Japan, guaranteed to clear toxins and successfully quit smoking in three treatments," while others claim to imitate dozens of cigarette flavors such as Zhonghua and Yuxi... Naturally, various electronic cigarettes claim to help control smoking and quit smoking. Additionally, from the naming perspective, electronic cigarettes have various names such as "substitute cigarettes" and "detox cigarettes," and are categorized into types like "light," "true flavor," and "one product," with forms including cigarette sticks, e-liquids, pastes, and cartridges. All electronic cigarettes claim to have ancient secret recipes, detoxifying materials, or use high-tech materials with international certification patents. Ambiguous Identity, Regulatory System Urgently Needs Clarification Industry insiders have pointed out that in foreign countries, electronic cigarettes mostly appear as "medical devices" or "healthier tobacco alternatives," with clear identities and strict regulations. For example, "Like Smoke" sold in Switzerland is marketed as a "healthier tobacco alternative" but does not promote its efficacy in quitting smoking. In Australia, products like "Like Smoke" only sell nicotine-free cartridges. However, in China, the identity of electronic cigarettes is ambiguous: the tobacco monopoly department believes they contain nicotine and should be regulated as tobacco products; some experts believe electronic cigarettes have certain smoking control effects and should be classified as medical devices, regulated by the drug administration; while other departments believe that the efficacy of electronic cigarettes in quitting smoking is unclear and should be treated as ordinary products, regulated by quality supervision departments. Journalists have learned that recently, the drug administration department clarified that electronic cigarettes are not currently regulated as medical devices. This means that their advertising will not be managed according to medical device advertising regulations. The industrial and commercial departments stated in interviews that the claims of ancient secret recipes and detoxifying materials in electronic cigarettes cannot be verified. Absolute promises like "7-day quit smoking" are suspected of exaggerated advertising, violating relevant provisions of the Advertising Law. "Electronic cigarettes are a new phenomenon, and their product identity and regulatory departments need further clarification, and the regulatory system needs to be streamlined," said a drug administration official. Consumer associations remind citizens that the electronic cigarette product market is chaotic, and consumers should be cautious when purchasing. Currently, most electronic cigarettes are sold through online shopping and direct sales, making it difficult for consumers to protect their rights in case of disputes. #p#分页标题#e#Experts: Electronic Cigarettes Are Not a Mainstream Method for Quitting Smoking "The method of gradually reducing nicotine through electronic cigarettes to help smokers quit is not without reason," said Yin Kaisheng, a respiratory specialist at the Provincial People's Hospital. He stated that smokers, especially those who smoke heavily, should ideally adopt a method of gradually reducing nicotine intake when quitting. However, Yin Kaisheng believes that the actual effectiveness of electronic cigarettes and whether they are as miraculous as advertised is still uncertain. Especially since some electronic cigarettes claim high success rates for quitting smoking, there is currently no authoritative evidence to support this. He stated that the mainstream methods for quitting smoking internationally include psychological therapy and medication-assisted treatment, and electronic cigarettes do not hold a significant position in this regard. "Moreover, electronic cigarettes still provide nicotine to smokers, which may lead to dependence. If smokers consume too much, it can still be harmful."