In an Increasingly Regulated Vaping Market, How Can Brands Stay Within the Rules?
According to the latest consumer report from Blue Hole, the e-commerce platform JD.com has closed its vape purchasing channels through computers, WeChat scan codes, and WeChat mini-programs, allowing vapes and related products to be purchased only through official application channels. At the end of September, JD.com announced that it would launch an online identification verification system for purchasing e-cigarettes/e-liquid, prioritizing application ports. Products without identity verification for vape purchases or those that have not completed the application channel purchase setup will be removed from the shelves. It is reported that another leading e-commerce platform, Taobao, has also launched an identity verification system. If a minor logs in to purchase vapes, their identity information will be detected, and the purchase will be restricted.
Looking back at the global vape market, e-cigarettes have been pushed to the forefront of public opinion, from the rising trend of capital inflow to the public controversy over inducing minors to use vapes. The online minor identification systems of the two major e-commerce platforms undoubtedly promote the optimization and upgrading of the e-cigarette industry and will have a positive impact on the overall image of the industry, guiding public opinion.
According to relevant information from the National Standard Information Public Service Platform, the national standards for e-cigarettes have entered the approval stage and are expected to be implemented within this year. At the same time, many brands are beginning to plan the research and development of e-cigarette technology, investing significant resources to build their own factories and R&D laboratories. In accordance with the national standards for nicotine concentration and purity, many brands are also starting to develop low-nicotine products and test the water consumption market. Undoubtedly, only products that meet national standards will ultimately be pushed to the consumer market.
Wang Zeqi, founder and CEO of Platinum Company, once said that e-cigarettes are somewhat addictive but should not be overly demonized. High-quality regulation and preventing minors from abusing them will be the direction of regulation in most countries in the future. In fact, as an established e-cigarette company, Platinum has been committed to breakthrough research in e-cigarette-related technologies. In September, Platinum launched a new amber for e-cigarettes with a nicotine content of 2%, which has been introduced to the consumer market and has received widespread recognition from the industry and consumers. An e-cigarette user told reporters that lowering the nicotine concentration while maintaining the same flavor is beneficial for consumers.
The American Cancer Society states, "Research has found that the harm of using e-cigarettes is much less than that of regular cigarettes for adults." Cigarette combustion produces over 7,000 chemicals, of which at least 70 are known carcinogens, while e-cigarettes do not have this issue. However, Wang Zeqi also stated at the recent Platinum Germany New Amber Conference, in his keynote speech on "Grasping the Core and Guarding the Boundaries," that promoting e-cigarettes is still beneficial for smokers. E-cigarette consumers should primarily be traditional smokers. Therefore, Platinum Germany's core pursuit is to "focus on technology, focus on products, and focus on e-liquid," which is also the demand of the aforementioned group for products.
Regarding minors using e-cigarettes, Platinum calls on the industry not to sell e-cigarettes to minors and not to suggest non-smokers use e-cigarettes. E-cigarette consumers should comply with local tobacco control regulations and not use e-cigarettes in indoor public places. Meanwhile, Platinum will allocate 30 million yuan to establish a public welfare fund mainly aimed at preventing minors from smoking and supporting research on reducing the harm of e-cigarettes.
Returning to the present, e-cigarettes, as a less harmful alternative to cigarettes, have their rationale. Although relevant research has not yet reached a conclusion, e-cigarette brands should closely monitor product quality, strictly adhere to industry boundaries, and contribute to the orderly development of e-cigarettes. Platinum will continue to launch high-quality products that meet national standards and market expectations, contributing to the establishment of a healthy e-cigarette market environment.
