According to a report by UNN on August 27, a criminal group suspected of selling counterfeit e-cigarettes was recently busted in the Lviv region of Ukraine.
The Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine (Bureau of Economic Security, BES) seized counterfeit e-cigarettes worth over 5 million hryvnias (approximately 120,000 USD) in a raid operation.
According to reports, the group was selling e-cigarettes without proper consumer tax labels, or using counterfeit tax labels, and did not have the necessary tobacco product wholesale or retail licenses. These illegal sales points were widespread in Lviv and its surrounding areas.
According to reports, law enforcement officers seized over 8000 polymer containers filled with e-cigarette liquid, as well as other related items such as packaging barrels, labels, ledgers, and computer equipment. The Economic Security Bureau stated that the counterfeit goods seized have a total value exceeding 5 million grivnas (approximately $120,000).
In addition, Alexander Rubin, director of the Kyiv Research Institute, pointed out that with the increasing popularity of e-cigarettes and electronic heated tobacco products, the institute's research on related products is becoming more frequent.
Since the beginning of this year, the research institute has been continuously receiving tasks to study classic tobacco products, electronic heated tobacco products (TVEN), and e-cigarette e-liquids. Each research task includes 150 to 200 samples, each of which requires detailed inspection and analysis. Recently, the popularity of e-cigarettes and their associated risks have even surpassed traditional cigarettes. This has presented us with new challenges and tasks.
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