Crackdown on Illegal Sale of Anesthetic-Laced E-cigarette Pods

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Mar.14.2024
Crackdown on Illegal Sale of Anesthetic-Laced E-cigarette Pods
Hubei police cracked down on a major crime case involving cross-provincial trafficking of etomidate, seizing over 380 e-cigarette pods.

Recently, the police in Chongyang County, Hubei Province, successfully cracked a major cross-province criminal case involving the trafficking of Methylone. A total of 7 suspects have been criminally detained, and over 380 e-cigarette pods containing Methylone have been confiscated.

 

Propofol, a white powder substance mainly used for general anesthesia induction and short-term surgical anesthesia, has been increasingly abused by young people in recent years after unscrupulous individuals have added it to e-cigarettes for sale.

 

Therefore, the State Drug Administration, Ministry of Public Security, and National Health Commission jointly issued the "Notice on Adjusting the Catalogue of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Drugs" (No. 120 of 2023), which will be implemented starting from October 1, 2023, including the inclusion of methoxyflurane in the second category of psychotropic drugs. Despite this measure being in effect, the momentum of e-cigarettes containing methoxyflurane in their production and sale does not seem to have diminished.

 

Apart from the harm to one's health, the abuse of Etizolam has been defined as an illegal act by law, with legal consequences similar to those of other drugs, including administrative detention, community rehab, and mandatory isolation for drug detoxification.

 

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

Tobacco Farming in the New Nicotine Era: Why Indian Farmers Struggle to Transition — Contributed by Samrat Chowdhery
Tobacco Farming in the New Nicotine Era: Why Indian Farmers Struggle to Transition — Contributed by Samrat Chowdhery
In this contributed article to 2Firsts, Mumbai-based journalist and harm reduction advocate Samrat Chowdhery examines India’s tobacco transition from the perspective of agriculture, supply chains and regulation. As noted by 2Firsts, India offers a relevant case for understanding how new nicotine technologies may affect not only consumption, trade and policy, but also tobacco farming.
Special Report
May.29
 BAT Raises Growth Outlook for Smokeless Products as Velo and Vuse Gain Momentum
BAT Raises Growth Outlook for Smokeless Products as Velo and Vuse Gain Momentum
British American Tobacco (BAT) has raised its growth outlook for smokeless products, forecasting “mid-teens” growth for its new category portfolio, including vaping and nicotine pouch products, while global cigarette volumes are expected to decline further.
BAT
Jun.02
FDA Sued Over Allowing Some Unauthorized Vapes and Nicotine Pouches to Stay on Market
FDA Sued Over Allowing Some Unauthorized Vapes and Nicotine Pouches to Stay on Market
Public health groups, pediatricians and parents sued the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on July 14, 2026, challenging a May enforcement guidance that they say allows unauthorized e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches to remain on the market while applications are under review.
Jul.15
Australia Quantifies Black Market for First Time, Illicit Nicotine Products Account for About 80% of Consumption
Australia Quantifies Black Market for First Time, Illicit Nicotine Products Account for About 80% of Consumption
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released its first estimate of the illicit nicotine market, finding that about 80% of cigarettes, vapes and other nicotine products consumed in 2025 came from illegal sources, reigniting debate over tobacco taxation and enforcement policies.
Jun.03
Malaysian Court Rules Liquid Nicotine Exemption Irrational, Renewing Vape Regulation Debate
Malaysian Court Rules Liquid Nicotine Exemption Irrational, Renewing Vape Regulation Debate
Malaysia’s High Court ruled that the government’s earlier decision to remove liquid nicotine from the country’s Poisons List was “irrational,” reigniting debate over vape regulation, illicit trade, and youth protection.
Regulations
May.18
Bringing Tax and Insurance Into Nicotine Regulation: Insights From a Tobacco Harm-Reduction Report
Bringing Tax and Insurance Into Nicotine Regulation: Insights From a Tobacco Harm-Reduction Report
A smoke-free nicotine policy report argues that tobacco harm reduction should move beyond product bans and health warnings into tax policy, insurance pricing and risk-based regulation. While some projections remain open to debate, the report highlights a wider challenge: nicotine products, technologies and consumer behavior have changed sharply over the past decade, and regulatory systems may need new tools to better align tobacco control with harm-reduction goals.
Jun.08