E-cigarettes in Asia

Global business and regulatory news and updates from the vape industry

16th January 2025

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31st December 2024

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Daily regulatory tracking of the e-cigarette sector. It includes weekly podcasts and monthly compilations

20th January 2025: Philippines: A group of House leaders has proposed a bill to temporarily suspend the annual increase of 5% in tobacco excise taxes for one year, media reports. This measure seeks to combat the growing illicit tobacco trade and its negative impact on tax revenues. The bill also addresses issues with mislabelled vaping products that exploit tax regulations, by proposing a unified tax rate for all vaping products to ensure accurate tax collection. The Department of Finance (DOF) has announced its support for the proposed suspension of annual increases in tobacco excise taxes, which have led to a surge in illegal trade and a drop in revenue collection.
20th January 2025: Uzbekistan: The Committee on Labour, Healthcare and Social Affairs of the lower chamber of the parliament has held a working group meeting to discuss a bill aimed at banning the distribution of vaping products that was adopted in its first reading on 7th January. The bill is being prepared for the second reading.
17th January 2025: Indonesia: The Ministry of Health has said that the draft regulations potentially introducing plain packaging for all tobacco and nicotine products are still being finalised, press reports. The regulations initially envisaged plain packaging but, after some pushback from stakeholders, the government is reconsidering the provisions set out in the draft bill.
16th January 2025: Philippines: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has suspended 14 manufacturers and importers of vaping products for failing to meet packaging requirements. A preliminary order has been issued, preventing them from manufacturing, importing, selling or promoting these products until a final decision is made. The DTI reminds manufacturers and importers to comply with packaging requirements, including graphic health warnings, to avoid legal liability.
16th January 2025: Thailand: On 26th December 2024, the chairman of Thailand’s Special Committee on E-Cigarette Control, presented a comprehensive report to the Thai parliament following a 15-month review. The report proposes underpinning the ban on all e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, including banning the import and possession of these products. The parliament is not required to vote on the report, but its view may guide future Cabinet action. Despite the ban proposal, yesterday (15th January) the Dental Network Against Tobacco Dangers raised concerns over the tobacco industry’s interference in the works of the special committee, as several of its members are accused of having ties to the industry.
15th January 2025: Saudi Arabia: The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has launched a public consultation, running until 28th January, on additional requirements for tobacco shops. The proposal aims to introduce new licensing requirements, architectural restrictions for the premises, security measures, product display limitations, and facility maintenance standards.
14th January 2025: Philippines: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has reminded importers and manufacturers of vaping products and heated tobacco products to register for the Philippine Standard (PS) License. Only duly registered products are allowed to be sold and advertised. Non-compliance with the requirements would result in formal charges.
13th January 2025: Philippines: The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has confirmed a decrease in excise tax collection from 2021 to 2024 that led to a drop of more than 20% in revenue from excisable products over the period, media reports. The BIR confirmed the loss of tax revenue during a Senate hearing on the smuggling and illicit trade of these products, in which the panel focused on tobacco products, heated tobacco products, vapour products, cigars, and cigarettes.
9th January 2025: Uzbekistan: The Tax Code was changed at the end of December 2024 to increase an excise tax for “nicotine-containing liquids (in cartridges, reservoirs and other containers for use in e-cigarettes)” imported or manufactured locally from UZS670 ($0.052) per ml to UZS2,000 ($0.15) per ml. The tax rate for “heated tobacco stick, heated tobacco capsule and other tobacco-containing products with a similar principle of use” imported or manufactured locally was increased from UZS382,000 ($30) per kg to UZS450,000 ($35) per kg. Devices are not listed as excisable goods.
9th January 2025: Uzbekistan: At a meeting of the lower chamber of the parliament, health minister Asilbek Khudayarov announced that a bill aimed at banning the distribution of vaping products, which was adopted in its first reading on 7th January, will not affect tobacco heating systems, media reports.
7th January 2025: Saudi Arabia: The Saudi Health Council published a warning on its official X account last week about short-term effects from the use of e-cigarettes. The warning advises against the use of electronic cigarettes, especially by children and women, and says nicotine is highly addictive and may delay brain development in young children.
7th January 2025: Bangladesh: The government has banned the import of e-cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), with immediate effect. The ban follows a government decision to restrict the import of all e-cigarette-related products to protect public health and young generations from their harmful effects.

Detailed full-length reports including data and analysis of numerous vaping markets around the world

8th November 2024

Indonesia: market snapshot, November 2024

4th November 2024

Pakistan: the e-cigarette market, November 2024

18th September 2024

Snapshot: United Arab Emirates, September 2024

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Regulatory reports

Thorough reports providing legal and regulatory analysis of different countries and sections of the e-cigarette industry

2nd January 2025

Top changes that matter in this month’s Policy Radar update, Oct – Nov 2024

5th December 2024

Kuwait: e-cigarette regulation, December 2024

2nd December 2024

Malaysia: e-cigarette regulation, December 2024

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27th August 2024

Detailed pricing tracker

17th July 2024

Online e-cig pricing: Indonesia

17th July 2024

Online e-cig pricing: Israel

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19th December 2024

Tamarind Intelligence Policy Radar, November

4th December 2024

Global regulatory tracker: current regulation of e-cigs, November

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20th January 2025

Key global e-cigarette markets database, January 2025

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17th January 2025

ECigIntelligence compliance calendar

24th November 2022

International e-cigarette stakeholders database

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