China Cracks Down on Illicit Ads and E-cigarette Sales
Credit: TS Donahue
China’s tobacco regulator has just concluded a two-month blitz on the e-cigarette market, which took aim at illicit online marketing and sales to minors.
E-cigarettes have repeatedly come into the regulatory crosshairs in China, as authorities sought to restrict how they can be sold based on concerns over their potential health impact and use by under-18s. Eye-catching designs and flavors have been blamed for a spike in young nonsmokers taking up the devices, according to a story on caixinglobal.com.
The State Tobacco Monopoly Administration (STMA) and the State Administration for Market Regulation jointly said Wednesday they had removed over 23,000 videos and links promoting the products from the internet and shuttered almost 5,000 sales platforms.