Inside Germany’s vaping device black market: high-puff products are common and sales are highly conc

Two Above conducted field research in several tobacco shops in Dortmund, Germany, to gain insight into the current state of the e-cigarette market in the city.

On September 12, Two Above conducted field research in several tobacco shops in Dortmund, Germany, to gain insight into the current state of the e-cigarette market. According to the research, the e-cigarette "black market" in Dortmund is quite common, and the sales channels are highly concealed, mainly operated by South Asian individuals in street corner shops. 

According to observations made by Two Above in a retail store selling e-cigarettes in Dortmund, when consumers show no interest in the e-cigarette products on the shelves, the staff will proactively ask, "Are you considering purchasing high-capacity e-cigarette products?" and introduce to consumers that they offer e-cigarettes with 6000 puffs for only 15 euros. Compared to e-cigarette products priced at 8 to 9 euros for 600 puffs, the high-capacity products have a clear price advantage. 

A customer is purchasing e-cigarette products at a street corner retail store in Dortmund | Source: Two Above

 When displaying products, the staff will use their own products to demonstrate to consumers. Once the consumer confirms their purchase, the staff will take out their phone to show pictures of different flavors for the consumer to choose from. After confirming the flavor, the staff will close the counter window and go to the back of the storage area to retrieve the required products. 

After the purchase is completed, the merchant will provide a formal invoice, but the product information on the invoice will be listed as "tobacco products".

After purchasing high-puff products from the "black market", the merchant will provide a formal invoice, but the product information on the invoice will be listed as "tobacco products" | Source: Two Above