China and UK Electronic Cigarette Markets Exchange Information

Aug.22.2022
China and UK Electronic Cigarette Markets Exchange Information
China's ECCC and UKVIA exchange latest information on e-cigarette market development in a large scale communication activity with 135 attendees.

On the afternoon of August 19th, the Electronic Cigarette Committee of the China Electronic Chamber of Commerce (ECCC) communicated with the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) regarding the latest information on the electronic cigarette markets of both countries. This meeting was a large-scale exchange activity organized by ECCC and UKVIA, with a total of 135 participants online and offline.


The Secretary-General of the Electronic Cigarette Committee, Ao Weinuo, and representatives from the companies Youweier, including the Senior Marketing Manager Wang Yuhang, Regional Marketing Manager Chen Jierong, and Business Development Manager Chen Jia'en from Meizhong Lian attended the meeting. The representative from the UK was the General Secretary of UKVIA, John Dunne.


Caption: Secretary-General Ao Weinuo listens to John Dunne's presentation on the UK market at the beginning of the conference. Secretary-General Ao expresses warm greetings to John Dunne and is glad to once again exchange industry insights with UKVIA. The UK is the world's most supportive country for electronic cigarette development, and UKVIA is the most active and effective association. It is a long-standing strategic partner of the Industry Committee and serves as a bridge and window for domestic enterprises to understand the electronic cigarette industry. The Industry Committee is willing to maintain close cooperation and frequent communication with UKVIA in the future.


Later, Secretary General Ao Weinuo introduced the gradual introduction of domestic legal regulatory details, which are currently in the final stage of the transitional period. Electronic cigarette manufacturers must obtain legal permits and comply with regulations. With regulatory oversight, the industry will move towards standardized and healthy development.


Secretary General Ao Weinuo shared with John Dunne two significant achievements of the ECCC in recent times: Firstly, the collaboration with units such as Shenzhen Airport resulted in the introduction of "E-cigarette Whitelist" enterprise recognition standards and differentiated security checks, aimed at providing greater convenience for Chinese e-cigarette exports worldwide and safeguarding the foreign exchange earnings of Chinese businesses. Secondly, the initiative to encourage the signing of the "Compliance Business Commitment" by members of the specialized committee has established a positive image for the e-cigarette industry in China and promoted the healthy development of the global e-cigarette industry.


John Dunne answered the questions of attending companies on the current state of the electronic cigarette market in the UK. He stated that the market has rebounded from its low point in 2020, with an expected growth of 11% this year. There are approximately 3.5 million adult electronic cigarette consumers. In terms of popular electronic cigarette categories, open and refillable systems account for 35% in 2022, followed by prefilled systems. Disposable electronic cigarettes have grown from 5% last year to 10% this year, raising concerns about environmental issues among the public in the UK.


Screenshot of UKVIA Speech


Screenshot of UKVIA speech


Caption: John Dunne, Director General of UKVIA, answers questions from Chinese companies.


In addition, John Dunne has earnestly advised companies on the trend of environmental protection for electronic cigarettes. Currently, recycling organizations in the UK have limited recycling capabilities and cannot handle the entire volume of electronic cigarettes. Even if some organizations have the ability to do so, the cost is very high. Therefore, if the UK government tightens environmental regulations on electronic cigarettes, electronic cigarette companies will face a great crisis. John Dunne stated that Chinese electronic cigarette manufacturing companies should focus more on environmental planning in material research and product design. For example, companies can prioritize the selection of reusable and biodegradable materials.


At the end of the meeting, Secretary-General Ao Weinuo suggested to John Dunne that the UKVIA lead Chinese electronic cigarette companies into British retail shops during their next livestream, enabling Chinese companies to engage in online dialogue with British retailers and enhance their understanding of the British electronic cigarette market. ECCC expressed a willingness to collaborate with UKVIA to promote the healthy and high-quality development of the electronic cigarette industry.


The commission provided valuable insights into the latest developments in the UK market for 2022 during the symposium, which is significant for Chinese e-cigarette companies looking to develop overseas strategies and expand into international markets. The commission remains committed to prioritizing its daily duties of serving its member companies, assisting them in achieving compliance and ethical operations domestically and internationally, and promoting sustainable progress in the global e-cigarette industry in terms of compliance, environmental protection, and underage protection.


This article contains excerpts or reprints from third-party sources. Copyright belongs to the original media and authors. If there is any infringement, please contact us to delete it. Any organization or individual who wishes to reproduce it should contact the author and refrain from direct reproduction.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

JAMA Issues First U.S. Clinical Guidance on Vaping for Smoking Cessation, Urging Complete Switch From Cigarettes
JAMA Issues First U.S. Clinical Guidance on Vaping for Smoking Cessation, Urging Complete Switch From Cigarettes
JAMA has published a Special Communication offering systematic recommendations for U.S.-based clinicians on the use of nicotine e-cigarettes in adult smoking cessation. Developed by the Harm Reduction Workgroup of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco’s Treatment Research Network, the paper recommends including e-cigarettes alongside FDA-approved cessation medications in risk-benefit discussions. It cites high-certainty evidence that nicotine e-cigarettes achieve higher quit rates than nicotine replacement therapy and evidence suggesting efficacy comparable to highly effective medications such as varenicline and cytisine. For adults who choose vaping to quit, the authors recommend FDA-authorized products, sufficient nicotine delivery and a rapid, complete transition away from cigarettes rather than prolonged dual use.
Aug.13
Data|China’s May Vape Exports Fall 10.3%; January–May Shipments Slip 0.9%
Data|China’s May Vape Exports Fall 10.3%; January–May Shipments Slip 0.9%
China’s vape-related exports fell 10.25% year on year in May 2026, marking a second consecutive monthly decline, although exports recovered modestly from April. January-May exports totaled US$4.018 billion, down 0.86% from a year earlier and broadly in line with 2025 levels.
Special Report
Jun.29
Scotland Plans to Remove Business Rates Relief From Vape Shops From 2027
Scotland Plans to Remove Business Rates Relief From Vape Shops From 2027
The Scottish Government plans to remove business rates relief from vape shops from April 1, 2027, saying the measure is intended to ensure vape retailers contribute to the high street and align rates relief with public health commitments, while the impact on convenience stores that sell vaping products remains unclear.
News
Jun.26 by 2Firsts Perspectives
2Firsts Interview | InterTabac 2026 Adapts to a More Complex Tobacco and Nicotine Market
2Firsts Interview | InterTabac 2026 Adapts to a More Complex Tobacco and Nicotine Market
As InterTabac 2026 approaches, Sabine Loos, Managing Director of Westfalenhallen Unternehmensgruppe, tells 2Firsts that global tobacco trade fairs are evolving beyond product display. With new nicotine categories, shifting regulation and more complex supply chains reshaping the industry, InterTabac is positioning itself as a platform for market insight, regulatory discussion and global business connection.
Special Report
Jul.02
2FIRSTS EXCLUSIVE|China Breaks Up $6.8 Million Illegal Hookah Tobacco Operation as Market Expands
2FIRSTS EXCLUSIVE|China Breaks Up $6.8 Million Illegal Hookah Tobacco Operation as Market Expands
Chinese authorities have dismantled an illegal hookah tobacco operation worth more than 46 million yuan ($6.8 million), detaining five foreign suspects and seizing over 500,000 boxes of tobacco paste. The case comes as hookah expands across China’s nightlife sector and attracts overseas operators, including former vaping entrepreneurs. It also raises a central regulatory question: whether waterpipe tobacco will follow China’s private-sector e-cigarette licensing model or be reserved for the state tobacco system, as with nicotine pouches, in the years ahead.
Jul.31
UK Local Council Proposes £5 Refundable Deposit on Vape Devices
UK Local Council Proposes £5 Refundable Deposit on Vape Devices
Norwich City Council is set to debate a proposed vape deposit scheme that would require consumers to pay an extra refundable £5 per device at purchase, with the money returned when the device is handed back, as recent recycling-facility fires, including a major Widnes blaze reportedly very likely caused by a vape, draw greater attention to the risks of improperly discarded lithium-battery devices.
Jul.01