Changes in Vardex's Display of "Honest Labels" Cause Controversy

May.25.2023
Changes in Vardex's Display of "Honest Labels" Cause Controversy
Vardex adjusts display of "honest label" for e-cigarettes and only sells registered products with "honest label" in compliance.

On May 24th, 2FIRSTS, an electronic cigarette vendor in Russia, noticed that the Vardex online retail platform had changed its method for displaying "tracing labels". Products registered with the "tracing label" would no longer receive individual labels, but rather have them displayed collectively at the bottom of the website. In response, the 2FIRSTS Moscow news team interviewed a representative from BABYLON, the parent company of Vardex, for their perspective on the matter.

 

Babylon is one of the largest electronic cigarette dealers in Russia. Vardex is their online sales platform for electronic cigarettes and they represent well-known brands such as ELFBAR, LOSTMARY, and NOKO.

 

The responsible staff at BABYLON have informed 2FIRSTS that Vardex is undergoing a comprehensive compliance overhaul and will only sell products that have been registered with a "Tracing Label". The spokesperson explained that Vardex is currently removing products that have not been registered with the label and adjusting its website by prominently displaying the "Honesty Label" at the bottom of the page, instead of selling products with and without the label as it previously did.

Changes in Vardex's Display of
Before change on Yandex | 2FIRSTS
Changes in Vardex's Display of
After change on Yandex | 2FIRSTS

 

Furthermore, 2FIRSTS has discovered notices on the Vardex website announcing the closure of several brick-and-mortar stores. In response, a spokesperson for BABYLON stated that this is a normal business adjustment and the closures are due to poor performance of those specific stores. BABYLON has also added new stores in high-potential consumer areas.

 

This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

Malaysia's Perlis Customs seized more than 510,000 smuggled e-cigarettes, involving more than US$2.85 million
Malaysia's Perlis Customs seized more than 510,000 smuggled e-cigarettes, involving more than US$2.85 million
In August, Malaysia's Perlis Customs raided Kampung Kawlan, seizing 517,394 e-cig devices/accessories in a Padang Besar warehouse. Haul: over RM12m (≈US2.85m),unpaidtaxesRM2.6m(≈US620k); 19yo guard arrested. Probes: e-cigs for Thailand, arrived via KLIA, to cross border illegally (pickup/container truck or Kelantan if blocked). Case under 1967 Customs Act §133(1)(f): max RM500k (≈US$120k) fine/7yrs jail, or both.
Sep.22 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Company | JTI Cambodia Awarded “Gold Tax Compliance Certificate”
Company | JTI Cambodia Awarded “Gold Tax Compliance Certificate”
Japan Tobacco International (Cambodia) Co., Ltd. has received the “Gold Tax Compliance Certificate,” valid for 2026–2027, marking the company’s third consecutive recognition.
Sep.05 by 2FIRSTS.ai
South Korean Parliament advances revision of tobacco law to include synthetic nicotine products, expected to generate $6.3 billion in tax revenue
South Korean Parliament advances revision of tobacco law to include synthetic nicotine products, expected to generate $6.3 billion in tax revenue
South Korean Parliament advances tobacco law revision, including synthetic nicotine products, anticipating $630 million tax revenue increase.
Oct.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai
South Korean convenience store GS25 and KT&G jointly released a new heated tobacco product, which will be available starting in October
South Korean convenience store GS25 and KT&G jointly released a new heated tobacco product, which will be available starting in October
South Korean convenience store chain GS25 has partnered with KT&G to launch a limited-edition heated tobacco device, the "Lil Hybrid 3.0 X GS25." A total of 48,000 units of the new device, featuring the GS25's signature blue, are available, targeting customers in their 20s and 30s. Each device is priced at approximately US$63 and is scheduled to be released in early October.
Sep.30 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Malaysia Seizes 300,000 Smuggled Vapes and Components, Suspected for Singapore Market, Labeled with “Salthub”
Malaysia Seizes 300,000 Smuggled Vapes and Components, Suspected for Singapore Market, Labeled with “Salthub”
Malaysian Customs in Port Klang seized about 300,000 smuggled e-cigarettes and components. The shipment, disguised as furniture and labeled "Salthub," lacked required health warnings. It was likely smuggled to Singapore by road. The UNODC has warned that Malaysia is a key transit point for drug and e-cigarette smuggling to Southeast Asia.
Sep.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai
BAT Korea Announces Fall Promotion for glo™ hyper Series, Price Reductions up to 40%
BAT Korea Announces Fall Promotion for glo™ hyper Series, Price Reductions up to 40%
BAT Rothmans introduces "glo hyper" series promotion in South Korea, with "glo hyper pro" for $20 and "glo hyper" for $14.
Oct.15 by 2FIRSTS.ai