Global Vaping Industry Weekly Report (9.11-9.17)

This week's report from Two Supremes includes key news from the global vaping industry from September 1 to September 17.

[1] According to data released by the U.S. Trade Commission in June 2023, the U.S. imported only 63.7% of its e-cigarettes from China in the first half of 2023, while e-cigarettes from Indonesia accounted for over 35% of the market. This means that Indonesia has surpassed other countries to become the second-largest e-cigarette exporter after China. 

[2] The Daily Telegraph reported that the UK Department of Health and Social Care plans to propose a ban on the sale of disposable e-cigarettes in an upcoming consultation to prevent children from becoming addicted to these devices. Government officials believe that disposable e-cigarettes are primarily targeted at minors under 18.

[3] A YouGov poll in the UK shows that weekly sales of disposable e-cigarette products reach 7.7 million units, raising concerns about the significant plastic and battery waste generated.

[4] The UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned four e-cigarette ads that appeared on the social platform TikTok. The regulator stipulates that all nicotine-containing e-cigarette ads that do not have drug approval cannot be published on social media.

[5] German Environment Minister Steffi Lemke supports a ban on disposable e-cigarettes and hopes for a comprehensive ban across the EU. However, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party in Germany opposes a blanket ban.

[6] The e-cigarette brand VAPORESSO has announced that it has become the first registered e-cigarette brand approved for sale in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT).

[7] RELX Philippines plans to launch a disposable e-cigarette brand called WAKA in 2024 to expand its market. The product is expected to be priced at around 550 Philippine pesos (approximately 64 RMB) and can be used for 10,000 puffs.

[8] KT&G plans to build a new factory in East Java, Indonesia, which is expected to start operations in 2026. This decision was made after reaching an agreement with the Indonesian Investment Ministry.

[10] International tobacco giant Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI) announced a new investment plan exceeding 1 billion zlotys (approximately $231 million) in Poland.

[11] The 2023 Dortmund Tobacco Exhibition (Inter-Tabac) opened at 9 a.m. local time on September 14 in Germany. The exhibition is grand in scale, with over 700 companies participating, covering traditional tobacco, new tobacco, supply chains, and more. Two Supremes served as the official media partner for comprehensive on-site coverage of the event.

[12] The 2023 Global Tobacco and Nicotine Forum (GTNF2023) will be held in Seoul, South Korea, from September 19 to September 21. GTNF serves as a global platform for the exchange of views and ideas among public health experts, government representatives, industry, and investors.