Key points: Under relevant local regulations, Mauritius will ban the import, distribution, and sale of e-cigarettes within its territory from May 31, 2023, including nicotine-free products and related items.
According to local regulations, starting from May 31, 2023, Mauritius will prohibit the import, distribution, and sale of electronic cigarettes within its territory, including products that do not contain nicotine and all related electronic cigarette accessories. This regulation stems from the new provisions of the "2022 Public Health Regulations" passed on May 20, 2022, which are now about to be officially implemented.Specifically, the "2022 Public Health Regulations" not only include the prohibition of electronic cigarettes but also introduce standardized packaging for tobacco products (aimed at reducing the branding characteristics of tobacco products); implement a new set of graphic health warnings (covering up to 70-100% of tobacco product packaging); expand the scope of smoke-free public spaces; strengthen restrictions on advertising, promotion, and commercial sponsorship of tobacco products; introduce new import and sales restrictions (such as the aforementioned electronic cigarette ban) and strictly require relevant reports from manufacturers and importers. Thus, Mauritius has become one of the two countries in the African region to adopt the WHO's "Plain Packaging Regulations" in 2022.In fact, Mauritius has never been friendly towards electronic cigarettes. Since the amendment of relevant public health regulations in 2008, Mauritius has prohibited the sale of electronic cigarettes, allowing only limited personal consumption. Overall, Mauritius has consistently adopted an unfriendly stance towards electronic cigarettes as recommended by the WHO, and its "2022 Public Health Regulations" have received support and praise from the WHO.This ban may impact the electronic cigarette market in Africa. According to Chinese customs statistics, the bilateral trade volume between China and Mauritius reached $726 million in 2020; according to trade data from the Mauritius Statistics Bureau, China is Mauritius's second-largest trading partner and the largest source of imports.The "Country (Region) Guide for Foreign Investment Cooperation in Mauritius (2021 Edition)" points out that: "On January 1, 2021, the China-Mauritius Free Trade Agreement came into effect, which is the first free trade agreement signed between China and an African country, covering various aspects such as goods trade, service trade, investment, and economic cooperation, and is a comprehensive, mutually beneficial, and high-level free trade agreement.""Mauritius has a favorable business environment, and more and more Chinese enterprises are investing and operating in Mauritius. Some contracting engineering companies have also begun to transform and develop investment businesses. In particular, some Chinese companies are gradually recognizing the unique advantages of Mauritius as an offshore financial center and a gateway to Africa, establishing regional headquarters and offshore companies in Mauritius to support their business in the African region."
