Italy Calls for Recycling of Disposable Vaping Products

On July 10, according to reports, at a meeting of the Italian Federation of Tobacco Retailers (Fit), Mario Antonelli, president of the Italian tobacco federation, gave a comprehensive analysis of the tobacco industry in the 21st century. Antonelli said Fit supports the government’s ban on remote sales of e-cigarettes, and stated that if sellers fail to recycle disposable products, they will face administrative penalties, while improper recycling and disposal could result in criminal penalties.

Antonelli also discussed e-cigarettes, a tobacco-related product, at length. Although there was skepticism at the beginning, supporters of e-cigarettes have gradually come to dominate over the years, to the point that the small trade associations that initially backed the promotion of e-cigarettes have now also joined Fit. According to Antonelli, stores specializing in e-cigarettes are gradually being replaced by tobacco retail shops. He believes the current market is divided into three distribution channels: specialist e-cigarette stores, online shops, and tobacco retailers. Despite intense competition, tobacco retail shops remain the preferred place of purchase for about 60% of e-cigarette consumers. He believes retailers need to maintain professional standards, continue learning and developing along with the market, and defend physical sales channels, which are currently being undermined by illegal online networks. Antonelli also shared his views on disposable products, saying this category has already taken an important share of the market. He pledged that tobacco retailers within the physical sales network will serve as collection points for discarded vaping devices. He believes this agreement will be in everyone’s interest. “Failure to carry out recycling will result in administrative penalties, while improper recycling and disposal will result in criminal penalties.”