Read articles from China

November 15, 2024 by thewest.com.au

China is bucking global smoking trends as cigarette sales surge in the country, powered by “the biggest tobacco company most people have never heard of”. The China National Tobacco Corporation, commonly known as China Tobacco, has a near monopoly on China’s tobacco product sales, which has seen the state-owned company grow into the largest cigarette producer in the world despite its relative obscurity abroad.

October 29, 2024 by tobaccoreporter.com

Taiwan is alarmed by the rise of "zombie vapes" containing etomidate, a dangerous substance inducing anesthesia. Taiwaneses authorities have seized a significant number of cartridges. The abuse of etomidate can lead to severe consequences, and there is a proposal to upgrade its classification. E-cigarette use among students is increasing, prompting Taiwan to ban vapes in 2023.

September 25, 2024 by republicworld.com

Three large Chinese vape companies are researching nicotine-like chemicals they think could serve as a substitute for nicotine in products like vapes, company officials said, but the health implications may still need "years" of investigation. One such chemical, 6-methyl nicotine, is made in a lab, has a similar chemical structure to nicotine and is already used in some vapes in the United States. But regulators and researchers have warned it may be more potent and addictive than nicotine itself.

June 25, 2024 by wired.com

A smoke shop in Tennessee introduced a new disposable nicotine vape with an LCD display and Bluetooth connectivity named RAMA. This vape, resembling an early 2000s cell phone, allows customization, puff tracking, and location monitoring. The sophisticated disposable vape trend, including smart vapes, has grown in the US, originating from China and surpassing legal boundaries. The US-China vape market accounts for a large share due to innovative and potent products. As competition escalated, Chinese manufacturers focused on design, affordability, and increased nicotine levels. Concerns arise over the environmental impact and appeal of these vapes to youth, sparking regulatory worries.

June 13, 2024 by fortune.com

American youth face a nicotine addiction crisis, with illegal e-cigarettes targeting children. Politicians criticized the FDA and DOJ for failing to regulate tobacco products, enabling e-cigarette companies to addict millions. A bipartisan hearing highlighted frustration over illegal vapes enticing teens with appealing flavors. The FDA's backlog of 27 million product applications led to minimal approvals. A new task force aims to combat the illegal e-cigarette market. Notably, the FDA lifted Juul Labs' marketing ban, leading to scrutiny on its re-entry. Chinese vape companies profit billions, exploiting regulatory gaps. Lawmakers intend to address these issues with upcoming legislation.

May 28, 2024 by nypost.com

A study reveals a flood of illegal flavored e-vapes from China in NYC after their ban in 2020 to curb youth addiction. The survey by Atria identified Air Bar Disposable as a popular brand. Despite some enforcement efforts, the illicit market undermines legal vendors like Altria. Experts urge stricter enforcement statewide. Officials criticize lax regulation and hope for stronger enforcement against illegal vapes, citing health risks for young people. FDA warned Chinese firms for unauthorized products. City Hall and Gov. Hochul are investigating to address the issue. Youth e-cig use in New York decreased, but the battle against illegal vapes continues, aiming to protect public health, particularly children.

May 09, 2024 by colinmendelsohn.com.au

EMERITUS PROFESSOR SIMON CHAPMAN AND COLLEAGUES are predicting that illegal vapes will virtually disappear in Australia because the Chinese government requires “all exporters to obey the laws of the countries to which they are exporting”. A Chinese government report showed that the number of vapes leaving China for Australia fell by 93% in the first 2 months of 2024 after the disposable ban was introduced. According to Chapman, this is the ‘smoking gun’, and its “All over, red rover”. Seriously? There is so much wrong with this prediction.

February 16, 2024 by filtermag.org

Australia's stringent anti-vaping stance has resulted in a thriving illicit market for vaping products, echoing the failures of drug bans in the past. Over 90% of Australia's 1.7 million adult vapers have turned to the illicit market due to harsh restrictions that require a nicotine prescription to vape legally. The illicit market in Australia is estimated to import 120 million unregulated vapes from China annually, with products sold openly without consumer protections. The profitability of illegal vapes has led to an intensifying turf war among organized trafficking networks, resulting in acts of violence and exploitation of marginalized recruits.

December 11, 2023 by qz.com

House lawmakers are demanding information from federal officials on what they are doing to stop the recent influx of kid-appealing electronic cigarettes from China. Members of a new congressional committee on U.S.-China relations sent the request Thursday to Justice Department and Food and Drug Administration leaders, calling attention to “the extreme proliferation of illicit vaping products.”

December 06, 2023 by reuters.com

A new breed of e-cigarette has addicted teenagers and confounded regulators worldwide by offering flavors like Blue Cotton Candy and Pink Lemonade in a cheap, disposable package. The tycoon dominating this latest wave is Zhang Shengwei, 50, a veteran of China’s vape industry in the southern manufacturing hub of Shenzhen. Most people have never heard of him. Zhang quietly rose over 15 years from a boutique exporter to become one of the world’s largest vape manufacturers. His main company, Heaven Gifts, now competes with industry giants Juul Labs Inc and British American Tobacco Plc (BATS.L) in the United States, the United Kingdom and across Europe.