E-cigarettes in Asia

Global business and regulatory news and updates from the vape industry

9th October 2024

Imperial sees strong NGP growth, keeps to forecasts ahead of November results

7th October 2024

Malaysian vape groups mostly favour new tobacco law, want guidance, lower cost

25th September 2024

Indonesia’s draft plan to regulate e-cig packaging triggers industry backlash

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

10th October 2024: Indonesia: A high-ranking Ministry of Health official has criticised the decision to not increase tobacco taxes in 2025. Head of the Ministry of Health’s Communication and Public Service Bureau, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, said the decision could negatively impact the smoking reduction target. Such criticism in the press indicates the existence of a divergence within the Indonesian government that previously surfaced during a meeting in late September. The decision to not raise taxes was communicated by the director-general of Customs and Excise of the Ministry of Finance on 23th September.
10th October 2024: Bangladesh: A round-table discussion on creating a “tobacco-free Bangladesh” emphasised the need for greater media involvement in reducing tobacco use, along with amendments to tobacco laws that would ban e-cigarette production, prohibit single-stick cigarette sales, and strengthen health warnings on tobacco packaging.
10th October 2024: Pakistan: The Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) has called on the government to regulate emerging addictive nicotine tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, nicotine pouches and other flavoured tobacco products, which, according to SPARC, are often marketed as trendy and less harmful. SPARC programme manager Khalil Ahmad stressed the urgency of implementing strict policies to prevent nicotine addiction, warning of long-term health risks that surpass any short-term economic gains. SPARC calls for greater public awareness, comprehensive legislation, and coordinated policy measures to address the potential health risks of these products and safeguard public health, particularly among young people.
10th October 2024: Thailand: On 8th October, during a press conference led by Jurai Wongsawat and Weerawat Manosutthi, spokespersons for the Department of Disease Control, concerns were raised about the growing use of e-cigarettes among Thai youth. Data from the National Statistical Office showed that in 2021, approximately 80,000 individuals aged 15 or above in Thailand used e-cigarettes. And a survey conducted by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 17.6% of Thai 13- to 15-year-olds reported using e-cigarettes in 2022, reflecting a five-fold increase since 2015. The officials at the conference highlighted the health risks of e-cigarettes and emphasised that Thailand is one of countries banning the import, sale and possession of e-cigarettes, urging public cooperation to protect youth from the dangers of these products.
9th October 2024: Uzbekistan: The chairman of the Ecological Party (a small party outside of the governing coalition), Abdushukur Khamzaev, has proposed introducing a biometric age-verification service in stores when purchasing tobacco products, including vaping products, media reports. The party also believes that it is necessary to introduce a ban on the sale of tobacco products to people born after 2009.
8th October 2024: Kyrgyzstan: The Ministry of Economy and Commerce has proposed imposing a six-month ban on the import, transit and re-export of cigarettes to Kyrgyzstan from countries that are not member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), media reports. The decision seeks to protect the health of citizens from the consumption of counterfeit, uncertified cigarettes. We understand the measure would not apply to other tobacco and vaping products. The corresponding government resolution has been submitted for consultation.
7th October 2024: Vietnam: During a workshop held on 3rd October, the Ministry of Health proposed that the government should issue a resolution supporting a ban on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco, press reports. Dinh Thi Thu Thuy, the deputy director of the Legal Department of the Ministry of Health, said: “The Ministry of Health is participating in developing a number of policies, including proposing amendments to the Law on Special Consumption Tax. In the face of the increasing emergence of new types of cigarettes that affect people's health, especially young people, the Ministry of Health has proposed that the Government issue a Resolution on banning the production, trading, and import of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products.”
7th October 2024: Thailand: Today, a Senate meeting chaired by Kriangkrai Srirak, first vice president of the Senate, and Somsak Thepsuthin, minister of public health, addressed concerns raised by Senate member Premsak Piayura over the control of e-cigarettes among children and youth, press reports. In response, Somsak outlined five key measures to control and prevent the spread of e-cigarettes in Thailand. These include stricter enforcement of laws on e-cigarettes, strengthening collaborative networks for support, confirming policies and actions to limit e-cigarette use, expanding knowledge and education efforts, and raising awareness among children, youth, and the public about e-cigarette risks.
7th October 2024: Armenia: Last week, the government adopted a resolution, according to which traceability control marks would apply to e-cigarettes, media reports. Products produced in Armenia and imported from countries within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU – Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia) to Armenia will be stamped starting from January 2025, and from July 2025, it would apply to products from non-EAEU member states. The sale of unstamped products will be allowed until 30th September 2025.
3rd October 2024: Philippines: Following the publication of amendments to the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Republic Act 11900 (Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act), which regulates e-cigarettes, heated tobacco and novel tobacco products, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) published a press release reminding all product manufacturers and importers to apply for product registration and certification, and stating that currently there are ten Philippine Standards licences issued, although three licences are suspended.
3rd October 2024: Israel: The Ministry of Health has issued a press release regarding a toddler who needed medical treatment due to the fear of nicotine poisoning after being exposed to an e-cigarette that resembled a toy. The ministry stressed that the use of e-cigarettes should be avoided and kept out of the reach of children.
1st October 2024: India: Researchers have found that vaping brands are using e-commerce platforms and influencers to market e-cigarettes to Indian youth on social media, despite the 2019 ban on these products. The Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) identified 83 stores and 189 influencers involved in this promotion, contributing to two-thirds of its study participants being aware of e-cigarettes via social media.

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

18th September 2024

Snapshot: United Arab Emirates, September 2024

9th August 2024

Philippines: the e-cigarette market, August 2024

31st July 2024

Saudi Arabia: market snapshot, July 2024

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Regulatory reports

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

10th October 2024

Top changes that matter in this month’s Policy Radar update, June – Sept 2024

7th October 2024

Taiwan: e-cigarette regulation, October 2024

29th July 2024

Kazakhstan: e-cigarette regulation, July 2024

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