Are Traditional Chinese Medicine Vaporizers Medicine or E-Cigarettes? Tobacco Authorities Respond

Chinanews. com, September 8 (Reporter Wu Tao) With the relevant departments 'illegal activities such as" milk tea cups "and" coke cans "e-cigarettesThe blow, herbs are emerging on the market againatomizerTraditional Chinese medicine nebulizer looks almost the same in appearance as e-cigarettes and is known as zero-nicotine. Are they drugs or e-cigarettes?

Herb atomizer with a wide variety of flavors

The reporter noticed that on social platforms, some netizens are promoting herbal nebulizers, traditional Chinese medicine nebulizers, traditional Chinese medicine trendy toys, etc. According to netizens, these products not only have zero tar, zero nicotine, and zero harm, but can even assist in treating throat pain, chronic pharyngitis, etc., and are "health products."

Introduction to the taste of a brand of traditional Chinese medicine atomizer. webpage screenshot

These herbal atomizers come in a wide variety of flavors. For example, some atomizer brands claim that they have launched more than ten flavors, including West Lake Longjing, Jasmine, Watermelon and other flavors. After inhalation, they are "soft in the throat and have a long aftertaste."

Some people think that this can be used as a substitute for smoking addiction, while clearing throats and moistening lungs; but many netizens also believe that this is an e-cigarette. Not only does it not have the above effects, it will also suffer more because seasoning is illegal e-cigarettes. A typical feature.

According to the provisions of the" Electronic Cigarette Management Law "that will come into effect on May 1, 2022, the sale of flavored e-cigarettes other than tobacco flavors and e-cigarettes that can be added with self-atomized substances is prohibited.

Why does the" drug-free "nebulizer have a" fruit flavor "?

The reporter noticed that some herbal atomizers also claimed that these were" legal and compliant "and had" fruity flavor ", and even directly pointed out the specific filing number.

Social platform screenshots

The reporter inquired on the website of the State Food and Drug Administration based on a graphic filing number and found that the product is an oral drug delivery device for people who need to rely on the drug delivery device for medication, and clearly stated that it" does not contain drugs ".

Since it does not contain drugs and is purely equipment, how is the" fruit flavor "produced?

Screenshot from the website of the State Food and Drug Administration

In addition, the reporter noticed that there are also some herbal atomizer brands that sell both nebulizers and nebulizers. The names of these aerosolized liquids contain some herbal names, which are used to distinguish the flavors, such as pineapple fat sea, kudzu root mint, ginseng wolfberry fruit, orange-red loquat and other flavors. According to relevant introductions, this was developed by the R & D team based on the concept of homologous medicine and food.

Is herbal nebulizer an e-cigarette?

In response, the reporter dialed 12313 and called the Beijing City Tobacco Monopoly Bureau. wiring staff said that e-cigarettes are not allowed to be sold online. However, the staff said that they would ask the tobacco monopoly department in the relevant jurisdiction to reply whether such traditional Chinese medicine nebulizers and herbal nebulizers belonged to e-cigarettes.

On the 6th, a staff member of the above-mentioned jurisdiction called back saying that In principle, all equipment that can be atomized belongs to e-cigarettes, which is in line with the situation of e-cigarettes. However, attention should also be paid to distinguish it according to its actual use, because hospitals and other places also have some atomization equipment used for medical treatment. Therefore, it is best to see the specific product to judge whether the above-mentioned herbal nebulizer belongs to e-cigarettes.

Recently," Beijing Youth Daily "quoted the person in charge of the Legal Research Department of the Shanghai City Consumer Protection Commission as saying that my country's Tobacco Monopoly Law, Electronic Cigarette Management Measures and other relevant laws and regulations clearly state that e-cigarettes are" used to generate aerosols for human smoking, etc. An electronic delivery system "includes e-cigarettes that do not contain nicotine (nicotine) into the definition of e-cigarettes.

Screenshot of the national standard for "E-Cigarette"

According to multiple media reports, at present, there are certain" regulatory gaps "for herbal nebulizers, etc. Some reports suggest that corresponding standards and specifications should be formulated for some special products that do not contain nicotine but have similar appearance to e-cigarettes to better protect consumers 'right to know and consumer safety.