July 2025 has proven to be a pivotal month in the global fight against the illicit e-cigarette trade. Law enforcement and customs agencies from Asia to Europe and the Americas have launched significant operations, resulting in the seizure of millions of dollars’ worth of illegal vaping products. This roundup details the key enforcement actions from around the world, painting a clear picture of a shadow industry under increasing pressure from regulators who are tackling everything from large-scale smuggling to local retail violations.
Read moreTag Archive for: Black Market
A special commission of the Israeli Tax Authority has presented recommendations to the Minister of Finance for a complete overhaul of how e-cigarettes are taxed and regulated, concluding that the current system has inadvertently created a massive black market. The report states that an exceptionally high tax rate, combined with ease of smuggling and a lack of effective oversight, has led to widespread tax evasion and significant loss of state revenue without successfully reducing consumption.
Read moreAustralia is now waging a “de facto war on nicotine” that risks the same failures as previous prohibition-style drug policies, according to some academic experts. They argue that the country’s strategy, characterized by the world’s most expensive legal cigarettes and an effective ban on retail e-cigarette sales, is directly responsible for an explosion in the black market for both products.
Read moreExperts warn UK’s June 1st disposable vape ban may fuel a dangerous black market, with millions potentially seeking illicit, unsafe products.
Read moreIndustry 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 moreIndustry Experts Warn Upcoming Single-Use Vape Ban May Fuel Illicit Trade
London 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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