China's Electronic Cigarette Regulation Is Stricter Than Abroad

Foreign e-cigarette control is hardly a success. In this dire situation, many countries around the world are beginning to regulate e-cigarettes.

EU regulations prohibit promotional and misleading elements, including through the press, radio, and audiovisual media. No promotional elements are allowed on e-cigarette packaging, and cross-border advertising of e-cigarettes is prohibited. E-cigarette products are required to include an information leaflet that includes instructions for use and storage of the product, as well as advice to young people and non-smokers not to use the product. Specific purchase age restrictions are determined by member states, with Estonia, Slovenia, and Ireland all having provisions prohibiting the sale of e-cigarettes to minors.

Canada has provisions that prohibit the use of advertising that might reasonably appeal to young people, as well as lifestyle advertising, testimonials, or sponsored promotions. E-cigarettes may not be sold with design attributes that appear particularly appealing to young people, and no packaging element may be used to indicate that an vape product has flavor if that element is likely to appeal to young people. Vape packaging must not advertise "dessert" or "candy" flavors that appeal to young people. The purchase age is restricted to 18 years or older, and each province has the right to raise the legal purchase age.

U.S. regulations prohibit the use of unsubstantiated information suggesting that e-cigarettes are less harmful than burning cigarettes, and false or misleading claims in labeling and advertising that the product is "approved" or "FDA-approved. And a warning letter was sent to the five top e-cigarette brands whose products are sold to minors, asking them to provide the FDA with a robust plan on how to address the use of their products by minors. Any adverse effects or potential violations, such as sales to minors, can be reported to the FDA. Limit the purchase age to 21 or older, and states have the right to raise the legal purchase age.

Although European and North American countries have introduced regulations, especially restricting the purchase age, in an effort to limit youth use of e-cigarettes, the yearly growth in the use of e-cigarettes by minors and young people proves that without stricter control of e-cigarette sales and purchase restrictions, it is difficult to reverse the momentum of youth use of e-cigarettes.

China's new e-cigarette management policy is worth waiting for

On May 1, 2022, with the implementation of China's "Electronic Cigarette Management Measures," the development of China's e-cigarettes bid farewell to the barbaric growth phase. There are 3 very important changes regarding the future production, operation and sale of e-cigarettes in China.

First, the e-cigarette business unified under the management of the State Tobacco Monopoly Bureau.

Second, in the sale of minors, more stringent restrictions are given. E-cigarette operators should prominently set up signs that they do not sell e-cigarettes to minors, and in cases where it is difficult to determine whether a person is a minor, they should be required to show identification.

Finally, perhaps the most important part of the e-cigarette business, the regulations prohibit the sale of flavored e-cigarettes and e-cigarettes that can add their own atomizers in addition to tobacco flavors.

Restrictions on flavors will completely change the current Chinese e-cigarette industry, with a variety of flavors that appeal to youth and women becoming a thing of the past. It will have the greatest impact on the future of e-cigarette prevention and control restrictions.

While e-cigarettes may help former smokers reduce the health risks associated with smoking, e-cigarettes without strict controls may attract more people (including, but not limited to, non-smoking minors, youth, and women) to begin using tobacco products, thereby posing more health risks and hazards.

In addition to the current restrictions, we hope to see more stringent restrictions in the future.

A ban on the sale of e-cigarettes within 200 meters of places where minors are active.

A nationwide ban on e-cigarette use in indoor public places, indoor workplaces and public transportation.

Hazard warnings and pictures on e-cigarette packaging.

An increase in the tax rate on e-cigarettes.

A ban on e-cigarette sampling in e-cigarette stores (indoor establishments).

Strengthening the regulation of e-cigarette advertising and promotion, especially e-cigarette advertising, propaganda, and promotion on various networks, video sites, self-media, and other platforms, to eliminate the continuation and occurrence of illegal acts.

Restricting the addition of atomizers and labeling all ingredients of the smoke cartridges.