BAT Executives Urge UK to Crack Down on Illegal e-Cigarettes

Sep.20.2024
BAT Executives Urge UK to Crack Down on Illegal e-Cigarettes
British American Tobacco (BAT) executives urge UK government to focus on tackling illegal e-cigarette sales instead of unnecessary tobacco policies.

According to a recent report by Bloomberg, executives from British American Tobacco (BAT) have stated that the UK government should focus on combating the illicit trade of e-cigarettes rather than introducing additional regulations on traditional cigarettes.


The previous Conservative government in the UK announced plans to ban the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 14 in order to create a smoke-free generation.


British American Tobacco's Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Kingsley Wheaton, cited an analysis from the company indicating that the smoking rate among young people will drop to below 5% when the UK's policy to ban the purchase of cigarettes by young people takes effect.


Whitton emphasized that the government should allocate more resources to crack down on the illegal e-cigarette market, rather than further tightening existing policies on traditional cigarettes. The company will push for licenses to be issued to e-cigarette retailers. BAT said that if enforced properly, issuing licenses will help reduce the number of minors accessing e-cigarettes.


We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Authorities in Kazakhstan Seize Over 53,000 Illegal Vape Products in Pavlodar
Authorities in Kazakhstan Seize Over 53,000 Illegal Vape Products in Pavlodar
Kazakhstan’s Financial Monitoring Agency in Pavlodar Region has concluded an investigation into an organised group involved in the illegal sale of vaping products. The group operated through three Telegram-based online shops and used courier delivery services. Authorities seized more than 53,000 items, with a total value exceeding 400 million tenge. The investigation found that students were the primary consumers. Four suspects have been placed in custody and multiple assets have been seized.
Dec.25 by 2FIRSTS.ai
U.S. Fifth Circuit judges question FDA’s claim it has no de facto ban on flavored refillable e-cigarettes
U.S. Fifth Circuit judges question FDA’s claim it has no de facto ban on flavored refillable e-cigarettes
Law360 reports that a Fifth Circuit panel expressed skepticism about the FDA’s claim that it has no de facto ban on flavored refillable e-cigarette products, noting that only six applications had been approved out of hundreds of thousands and that near-100% denials look like a ban.
Jan.07 by 2FIRSTS.ai
2Firsts Co-Founder and CEO Alan Zhao Speaks at PouchEX 2025: Highlighting China’s Critical Role in the Global Nicotine Pouch Industry
2Firsts Co-Founder and CEO Alan Zhao Speaks at PouchEX 2025: Highlighting China’s Critical Role in the Global Nicotine Pouch Industry
At PouchEX 2025 in Sweden, 2Firsts CEO Alan Zhao delivered an invited keynote, outlining China’s critical role in the global nicotine pouch industry from both supply chain and consumer insight perspectives, drawing significant attention from the international community.
Nov.17
 Breaking News | FDA Adds on! Plus Nicotine Pouches to PMTA-Authorized List
Breaking News | FDA Adds on! Plus Nicotine Pouches to PMTA-Authorized List
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has added ON! Plus nicotine pouch products to its list of authorized products, disclosing that the brand has received Marketing Granted Orders (MGO) through the Premarket Tobacco Product Application (PMTA) pathway. The update makes on! Plus the second nicotine pouch brand authorized via PMTA, following ZYN. As of publication, the FDA had not issued a separate press release on the decision.
News
Dec.20
Echo Guo: The Accumulating Risks Behind the Surge in Chinese Vape Exports to the U.S.
Echo Guo: The Accumulating Risks Behind the Surge in Chinese Vape Exports to the U.S.
Chinese vape exports to the U.S. jumped from about 2.2 million kg in June to 14.8 million kg in October 2025, despite tougher enforcement, the Washington Examiner reported. 2Firsts finds the surge reflects delayed bulk shipments, not demand recovery. With U.S. inventory exceeding 160 million devices and distributors paying ~10% upfront, cash-flow stress has shifted to Chinese manufacturers, and discounted stock is spilling into other markets.
Dec.14 by Echo Duo
Polish Government to Amend E-Cigarette Definitions, Applying  PLN 40 Excise Tax to Magnetic-attachment Devices
Polish Government to Amend E-Cigarette Definitions, Applying PLN 40 Excise Tax to Magnetic-attachment Devices
Poland plans to amend its excise tax regulations on e-cigarettes to address a loophole created by the emergence of electromagnetic iMagnetic-attachment devices in 2025. Under the proposal, products incorporating ferromagnetic components will be classified as e-cigarettes and subject to an excise tax of PLN 40 (about USD 11.2) per unit. The revised rules are expected to take effect 14 days after promulgation.
Dec.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai