Weekly Global Vaping Industry Highlights

1. The National Tobacco Monopoly Administration Releases Guidelines for Promoting the Construction of Quality Assurance Systems for Export E-Cigarette Products

On July 20, 2023, the National Tobacco Monopoly Administration publicly released the "Guidelines for Promoting the Construction of Quality Assurance Systems for Export E-Cigarette Products."

2. Police in Ji'an, Jiangxi Province, Bust a Counterfeit E-Cigarette Production and Sales Operation

Recently, the police in Wan'an, Ji'an successfully dismantled a counterfeit e-cigarette production and sales operation, arresting three suspects and seizing over 120,000 smoking accessories and finished products, along with a counterfeit production line, with an estimated value exceeding 5.5 million yuan. Currently, the suspects Chen, Ou, and Liu have been criminally detained by the police, and the case is under further investigation.
3. Two E-Cigarette Nicotine Production Companies Announce Successful License Renewal
On July 15 and July 17, Rundu Pharmaceutical (Jingmen) Co., Ltd. and Shandong Jincheng Pharmaceutical Chemical Co., Ltd. announced that they have received the "Tobacco Monopoly Production Enterprise License" (for e-cigarette nicotine production) issued by the National Tobacco Monopoly Administration. The validity period has been extended to June 30, 2025.
Notably, this license change not only allows for domestic sales but also adds export capabilities, enabling the companies to legally engage in the export of e-cigarette nicotine and expand into foreign markets.

4. The "Regulations on Administrative Penalty Procedures for Tobacco Monopoly" to Take Effect on July 20, 2023

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has revised and published the "Regulations on Administrative Penalty Procedures for Tobacco Monopoly," which will take effect on July 20, 2023, while the previous regulations published on January 21, 2010, will be repealed.
These regulations include general principles, jurisdiction and applicability, general provisions, simplified procedures, ordinary procedures, hearing procedures, execution of administrative penalties, law enforcement supervision, legal responsibilities, and supplementary provisions, totaling ten chapters and 93 articles. They apply to administrative penalties implemented by tobacco monopoly authorities at all levels, particularly for violations involving new tobacco products such as e-cigarettes.

5. Juul Labs Submits PMTA for New Products

On July 19, JUUL Labs announced that it has submitted the first premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) for the company's next-generation e-cigarette products to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The materials submitted include comprehensive scientific evidence regarding the new e-cigarette device and nicotine concentration of 18mg/mL for the new tobacco-flavored pods, as well as information on restricting access for minors.

6. Indian Ministry of Health Issues Warnings to 15 E-Cigarette Selling Websites

The Ministry of Health in New Delhi, India, has issued warnings to 15 websites selling e-cigarettes, ordering them to cease sales and promotion of e-cigarette products. Additionally, the Indian government is monitoring six other websites that may soon receive notifications. Websites that fail to respond within 36 hours may face fines.
7. Research Indicates Flavored E-Cigarettes Help Smokers Quit

A study led by Southbank University London in collaboration with University College London, the University of East Anglia, and the University of New South Wales found that flavored e-cigarettes can help smokers quit. It is reported that 1,214 participants took part in the study. After using flavored products for three months, 24.5% of participants successfully quit smoking, and another 13% managed to reduce their cigarette consumption by more than half.

8. UK Parliament Calls for a Ban on Disposable E-Cigarettes by 2024

Recently, the Parliament of England and Wales has called on the UK government to ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes by 2024, citing environmental and health concerns. The Local Government Association (LGA), representing the Parliament of England and Wales, stated that it is crucial for the ban to take effect swiftly, as the EU has proposed a ban to be implemented in 2026, and France will introduce a ban this December, which could lead to a surge of disposable e-cigarettes flooding into the UK.

9. Independent Retailers Association Warns: A Ban on Disposable E-Cigarettes in the UK Will Fuel the Black Market

In response to the UK Parliament's call to ban disposable e-cigarettes, the UK Independent Retailers Association warned that such a policy would encourage illegal sales and would not achieve the goals of reducing litter and lowering the appeal of e-cigarettes to children. Historical experience shows that bans do not solve all problems.