Cracking Down on Unbranded and Unlicensed E-Cigarettes to Promote Healthy Market Development

 Recently, the Economic Inspection Team of the Beihai Municipal Administration for Industry and Commerce conducted surprise inspections on several e-cigarette sales stores located near schools based on reports from parents, confiscating 275 bottles of e-liquid suspected of lacking Chinese labeling, manufacturer information, and clear production dates and shelf life, along with 23 e-cigarette devices.

“Where are your purchase invoices?” “We all order through WeChat.” On the afternoon of November 29, at an e-cigarette sales store on Changqing Road, when questioned by law enforcement officers, the store manager claimed that the e-cigarette devices and e-liquids they represented were all imported from abroad, with customs procedures handled uniformly in Shenzhen. They presented an authorization letter from the brand's e-liquid manufacturer and sales company in San Francisco, California, along with a bilingual ingredient list for the e-liquid. It indicated that the nicotine content was 1.2% per 12 mg, primarily composed of propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, glycerin, and natural and artificial flavors. However, upon inspection, most of the e-liquids named after various fruit flavors lacked Chinese labeling and could not provide manufacturer information, production dates, or shelf life, indicating the sale of illegal “three no” products.

At various stores, the prices of these e-cigarettes ranged from hundreds of yuan, and the e-liquids could be mixed freely by the staff. It is understood that e-cigarettes primarily rely on atomizers to work, activating a heating element through electronic airflow sensors, which heats the e-liquid to vaporize it, creating smoke that has a fruity scent, which is very “pleasant.” Store owners claim that they can achieve smoking control and replacement effects, making them very popular in foreign countries and major cities in China, and are the first choice for those looking to quit smoking.

On Changqing North Road and Zhanqian Road, such e-cigarette or e-liquid sales stores are located very close to schools. Nearby residents and merchants reported to reporters that young people resembling students often gather in these stores, exhaling clouds of vapor. Some parents have reported to the Administration for Industry and Commerce that their children are addicted to these supposedly harmless e-cigarettes, even bringing them to school to smoke, “because they have a fruity scent, it’s hard for teachers to detect and supervise.” Although schools prohibit students from entering such places, and signs stating “Minors are prohibited from entering” are posted at the store entrances, the store owners claim that it is difficult to determine the age and identity of students who appear mature and are not in school uniforms.

It is reported that in 2003, China officially signed the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control approved by the World Health Organization, which clearly states, “Prohibit the production and sale of tobacco products in shapes that appeal to minors, such as candies, snacks, toys, or any other physical objects.” However, due to the lack of industry norms and national standards, the Administration for Industry and Commerce can currently only rely on laws and regulations such as the Product Quality Law of the People's Republic of China to clean up and rectify e-cigarette products, specifically targeting “three no” e-cigarette products that lack Chinese labeling, manufacturer information, and clear production dates and shelf life.

According to statistics, during this rectification action, the inspection team confiscated a total of 275 bottles of e-liquid suspected of lacking Chinese labeling, manufacturer information, and clear production dates and shelf life, along with 23 e-cigarette devices. At the same time, law enforcement officers also called on schools and parents to strengthen proper guidance, enhance minors' ability to recognize and prevent risks, and work together to eliminate the physical and mental harm of e-cigarettes to minors. Relevant officials stated that the Administration for Industry and Commerce will continue to intensify efforts to regulate the e-cigarette sales market and effectively protect consumers' legitimate rights and interests.