Hezhou Urban Tobacco Monopoly Bureau in Guangxi Steps Up Crackdown on Illegal Vaping

This year, the Hezhou Urban Tobacco Monopoly Bureau in Guangxi (hereinafter referred to as the "Urban Bureau") has vigorously cracked down on illegal vaping activities through multi-channel publicity, multi-dimensional supervision, and multi-department collaboration, creating a protective net for the growth of minors.

"Promotion + Education" Builds a "Protective Wall"

"Students, the harm of e-cigarettes is significant, and you must stay away from them. If you find someone selling e-cigarettes to you, you can report it by calling 12313." This was a scene during the Guangxi Hezhou campaign to promote "Protecting Minors' Health and Staying Away from E-Cigarettes" in schools.

The Urban Bureau used on-site explanations, PPT presentations, display boards, hanging banners, and distributing promotional materials to help minors fully understand the dangers of e-cigarettes and consciously resist their temptation.

So far, the Urban Bureau has conducted 7 classroom presentations under the theme "Joint Care, Protecting Growth," with 3,630 students trained, distributed 5,865 copies of the letter "Protecting Minors from E-Cigarettes—A Letter to Parents and Students," and provided legal consultation to 91 individuals.

"Visits + Inspections" Ensures a Tight "Supervision Network"

The Urban Bureau has implemented a policy "combination punch" to strengthen e-cigarette supervision and protect the healthy growth environment of minors. They maintain a "ledger" to enhance the investigation of cigarette retailers around primary and secondary schools, register them, establish a "blacklist" management mechanism, increase inspection frequency, and create a dynamic management mechanism to weave a "protective net." They also maintain "two lines" by combining online and offline efforts, with offline actions including posting notices, guiding visits, and classified diversion, while online efforts focus on cracking down on cigarette sales through the internet, ringing the "alarm bell." Comprehensive checks are conducted through regular inspections, surprise checks, and staggered inspections in areas such as night markets, streets near schools, and entertainment venues to act as "guardians."

So far, the Urban Bureau has conducted a total of 5 special operations, mobilizing 75 law enforcement personnel, inspecting 109 businesses near primary and secondary schools and 13 entertainment venues, and posting 4,219 signs stating "Prohibition of Selling Cigarettes and E-Cigarettes to Minors."

"Collaboration + Crackdown" Provides Strength to Support the "Protective Umbrella"

"Milk tea cups," "planet cups," "cola cans"... Flavored e-cigarettes that are explicitly banned have transformed into "snacks" and "toys," posing a significant risk to the physical and mental health of minors.

The Urban Bureau actively conducts "purification" actions in the e-cigarette retail market, implementing a "zero tolerance" policy for various illegal business activities, using warning reminders and special discussions to guide retailers to strengthen their responsibilities and improve their integrity in business.

So far, the Urban Bureau has investigated 3 cases related to e-cigarettes, confiscating 114 e-cigarettes involved, creating a deterrent effect in the e-cigarette market and achieving phased results.

Deng Wenjun, director (manager) of the Hezhou Urban Tobacco Monopoly Bureau, stated that the Urban Bureau will continue to maintain a high-pressure regulatory stance to build a "protective wall" for the healthy growth of minors and safeguard their well-being. (Yang Xu, Li Hexin)

(Source: Hezhou Urban Tobacco Monopoly Bureau, Guangxi)