the Internet. Publicising, promoting and selling
e-cigarettes through the Internet poses a huge
threat to the physical and mental health of minors.
“In order to further strengthen the protection of
minors’ physical and mental health and prevent
minors from purchasing and smoking electronic
cigarettes (bought) through the Internet, we
urge electronic cigarette production and sales
enterprises or individuals to close the electronic
cigarette Internet from the date of issuance of this
circular.”
An offi cial at the tobacco regulator told the Xinhua
news agency that many e-cigarette companies
deliberately targeted young people in their online
campaigns.
It accused them of using words such as “young”
and “fashion” to tempt minors into buying vaping
products and said many parents were worried that
their children could buy vaping products online.
After the announcement was made there was
speculation over whether it would, or could,
actually be enforced.
Ou Junbiao, head of the Electronic Cigarette
Industry Committee of China, told the New York
Times: “There is no law or regulation in China that
forbids the online sale of e-cigarettes yet.”
“China’s
e-cigarette
market was
estimated to
have been
worth US$718
However just hours after the notice was
published, vaping products were swiftly removed
from at least three online platforms.
Seven of the leading e-cigarette brands also
issued statements on social media to say they
fully supported the move.
RELX - the most popular Chinese brand with 60
percent of the market share - said it “resolutely
supports” the decision and added: “We will fully
act to terminate all sales and advertising on the
Internet.”
In September vape products from Juul Labs were
removed from Chinese e-commerce sites Tmall
and JD.com just a week after going on sale,
without any explanation as to why.
million last
year, an
increase from
$451 million in
2016.”
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