Tougher restrictions required to stop online selling of e-cigarettes

DESPITE THE AUTHORITIES ISSUING a statement that all websites and apps selling e-cigarettes should be shut down and all online marketing campaigns halted, e-cigarettes are still being sold and advertized on the major domestic e-commerce platforms. China Daily writer Wang Yiqing comments:

On Nov 1, the State Administration for Market Regulation and the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration jointly issued a document aimed at strengthening the management of e-cigarettes to better protect minors.

The document called for e-cigarette producers to shut down their internet sales channels and withdraw online advertisements for e-cigarettes. The e-commerce platforms were urged to stop selling e-cigarettes online due to the high health risks posed by e-cigarettes and the vulnerability of minors.