Industry groups in Malaysia argue vape bans fuel illicit trade and harm consumers, advocating for regulation over prohibition.
The Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce (MVCC) has issued a strong caution to policymakers. The group warns that implementing outright bans on vape sales will likely drive consumers towards a dangerous black market. They advocate for a regulatory approach that prioritizes consumer safety, industry sustainability, and economic contributions.
Read moreAustralia’s recent budgetary woes, with tobacco excise tax revenue nearly halved since 2019 and estimated cumulative losses of A$10 billion (€5.6 billion) by 2029, have been tied to the country’s thriving black markets for tobacco and nicotine products. Experts warn that this illicit trade boom is a direct consequence of Australia’s draconian approach to vaping regulation, which includes limiting the legal sale of vapes to pharmacies and implementing sweeping flavor bans.
Read moreA year has passed since Kazakhstan enacted a sweeping ban on the sale, manufacture, and distribution of electronic cigarettes and vaping devices on April 19, 2024. The legislation, which carries penalties ranging from fines and arrests to imprisonment and property confiscation for large-scale trafficking, aimed to curb the growing popularity of vaping, particularly among minors. However, as a “Kursiv” correspondent discovered, the ban has given rise to a thriving black market that operates under principles akin to drug trafficking, making it relatively easy to purchase these prohibited products.
Read moreVaping products are being increasingly pushed underground in both the United States and the United Kingdom, as a new research highlights the growing consequences of poor regulatory decisions. This shift not only sends a negative message about harm reduction tools but also compromises consumer safety, as these products enter the unregulated market.
Read moreSales of unauthorized, flavored disposable vapes in the United States amounted to approximately $2.4 billion in 2024, representing 35% of the e-cigarette market in outlets such as convenience stores and supermarkets, according to private retail sales data reviewed by Reuters. The data, provided by an industry source outside of the market research firm Circana, shows a decline from $3.2 billion in 2023 and $2.8 billion in 2022.
Read moreLondon councils have seized a staggering 530,498 illegal vapes this year, with an estimated value of over £6 million, according to data obtained through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests. In the past three years, more than two million vapes have been confiscated across the city. As the government prepares to ban single-use vapes from June 1, 2025, industry experts express concerns that the black market may grow further.
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