Trial Opens in Huangshan Illegal E-Cigarette Business Case, 5 Defendants Stand Trial

On August 29, the Huangshan City Tunxi District Court held a public hearing on a case involving the illegal operation of e-cigarettes. Five defendants, including Tong and Wu, were tried for the crime of illegal operation.

The prosecution accused the defendants, including Tong, Wu, Yang, Bao, and Zhang, of repeatedly buying and selling e-cigarettes through online or on-site transactions since October 2022, without obtaining a tobacco monopoly license.

Among them, defendants Tong and Wu sold a total of 651,897 yuan to defendant Yang online; defendant Wu sold a total of 213,623 yuan to Li (handled in another case); defendant Yang sold a total of 680,000 yuan online and sold 68,484 yuan to defendant Bao; defendant Bao sold a total of 833,061 yuan online; and defendant Zhang sold a total of 120,102 yuan at an e-cigarette specialty store or online in Huangshan City Tunxi District.

During the trial, the prosecution presented relevant evidence, and the defendants and their lawyers conducted cross-examinations. Both sides fully expressed their opinions under the court's guidance, and all five defendants expressed their willingness to plead guilty. Given the complexity of the case, the collegial panel will announce the verdict at a later date.

E-cigarettes are still tobacco! Although they are different from regular cigarettes, they fall under the category of items that are exclusively operated, sold, or otherwise restricted by laws and administrative regulations such as the "Implementation Regulations of the Tobacco Monopoly Law of the People's Republic of China" and the "E-cigarette Management Measures." Selling e-cigarettes must be legal and compliant, requiring a tobacco monopoly license.