ECCC and IEVA successfully held an online exchange meeting

2Firsts Events by 2FIRSTS
Jun.14.2022
The China Electronic Chamber of Commerce Electronic Cigarette Professional Committee and the Independent European Vape Alliance (IEVA) held a successful online international situation exchange meeting on June 8th, 2022.

The China Electronic Chamber of Commerce Electronic Cigarette Professional Committee and the Independent European Vape Alliance (IEVA) held a successful online international situation exchange meeting on June 8th, 2022. This is the first online meeting of the E-cigarette Special Committee since renovation of the office. Ao Weinuo, Secretary-General of the E-cigarette Committee, Guo Xiaoyu, COO and co-founder of 2FIRSTS , Jason Tian, International Public Relations Manager, Mr. Cipri Boboi, co-founder of IEVA, and Ms. Sonya Herrmann, communications delegate of IEVA, attended the meeting.

 

ECCC and IEVA successfully held an online exchange meeting


The meeting began on 9:00 a.m. Britain Time (4:00 p.m. Beijing time) and lasted approximately one and a half hours. At the start of the conference, Secretary-General Ao displayed a handwritten letter sent from overseas by the president of the IEVA Association, Mr. Dahlman. He expressed his appreciation for the E-Cigarette Committee's contribution to the worldwide e-cigarette business in the letter.

 

ECCC and IEVA successfully held an online exchange meeting

 
Later, Secretary-General Ao briefed the two IEVA representatives on the special committee's recent work focus, which included improving the office, expanding the live broadcast communication center, establishing an international organization, and encouraging trades and exchanges. According to Secretary-General Ao, the recently announced "E-Cigarette Management Measures" are expected to fundamentally fix a number of issues, including the disorderly development of China's e-cigarette business. The publication of the new policy will aid in the standardization, legalization, and integrity development of China's e-cigarette sector. The two delegates agreed and expressed their understanding. Secretary-General Ao answered the two delegates' comprehensive inquiries, which increased trust and communication between the two sides.

 
Following the most recent e-cigarette industry exchange in China, Mr. Cipri Boboi and Ms. Sonya Herrmann discussed the evolution of the e-cigarette sector in Europe. At the moment, the disposable e-cigarette market in Europe is expanding significantly, with stable growth in the first half of this year. The growth rate in the second half of this year is likely to outpace that in the first half. At the moment, European e-cigarette policy is focused on environmental protection. While the EU is designing the e-cigarette industry's tax policy, it is hoped that future e-cigarette goods would pay attention to environmental preservation in terms of raw materials and consumption, such as the introduction of recyclable e-cigarette products. According to Secretary-General Ao, Chinese e-cigarette companies will be brave in shouldering social duties, researching and creating more environmentally friendly products, protecting minors, and offering safer and more compliant products to consumers worldwide.

 

ECCC and IEVA successfully held an online exchange meeting


Through a live internet broadcast, the two sides also discussed the necessary preparations and procedures for visiting China's e-cigarette facility. IEVA has indicated strong interest and set a date for a recent visit. Shenzhen is the worldwide e-cigarette industry hub, accounting for more than 90% of global e-cigarette supply. Domestic electronic cigarettes exports reached 138.3 billion yuan in 2021. Although the global epidemic has made international travel more difficult, it cannot stymie China's e-cigarette exports or international cooperation. The Committee encourages more direct and efficient communication between Chinese supplier firms and overseas brands and distributors, as well as more direct and efficient communication between Chinese and foreign enterprises.

 

Special Report | Vape bans and tougher rules: the South Caucasus takes different paths
Special Report | Vape bans and tougher rules: the South Caucasus takes different paths
Azerbaijan's sweeping e-cigarette ban has raised concerns over enforcement errors and the emergence of illicit sales, while neighboring Armenia is tightening technical rules and preparing higher excise taxes. Georgia, meanwhile, has resisted calls for broader vape restrictions and introduced preferential taxes for some domestically produced cigarettes. The divergent approaches across the South Caucasus highlight a regional policy dilemma: how to curb nicotine use and protect public health without encouraging black markets or creating unintended economic consequences for businesses and consumers.
Nov.03
Japanese Addiction Psychiatrist Says Complete Abstinence Is Not Always the Goal of Harm Reduction | 2Firsts Interview
Japanese Addiction Psychiatrist Says Complete Abstinence Is Not Always the Goal of Harm Reduction | 2Firsts Interview
Complete abstinence is not always the goal of addiction treatment under a harm-reduction approach, Japanese psychiatrist Tomohiro Shirasaka told 2Firsts in Manila. In the interview, he discussed patients' quality of life, Japan's shift towards heated tobacco products, and the challenges of quitting smoking for people with mental illness. Drawing on addiction treatment work in the Philippines, he advocated support rather than punishment and questioned whether fear-based health warnings effectively address the reasons people continue smoking.
Nov.10
Ispire Q4 Revenue Rebounds 33% but Full-Year Sales Still Fall 25% as FY2027 Focus Shifts to Malaysia Manufacturing, ODM, Nicotine Pouches and Age Verification
Ispire Q4 Revenue Rebounds 33% but Full-Year Sales Still Fall 25% as FY2027 Focus Shifts to Malaysia Manufacturing, ODM, Nicotine Pouches and Age Verification
Ispire Technology reported FY2026 revenue of about $96 million, down 24.7% year over year, as U.S. cannabis-vapor hardware and European e-cigarette sales declined by $17.4 million and $12.7 million, respectively. Fourth-quarter revenue rose 32.5% to $26.7 million, while quarterly gross margin fell to 6.3%. For FY2027, the company is prioritizing Malaysia manufacturing and vapor ODM while continuing to develop nicotine pouches, IKE Tech age-verification technology and G-Mesh licensing. Ispire has not separately disclosed the revenue or profit contribution of those newer businesses.
Regulations
Sep.17 by 2Firsts Perspectives
PMI's IQOS Extends ZAMNA Electronic-Music Partnership to Spain as Vogue España Publishes Branded Content
PMI's IQOS Extends ZAMNA Electronic-Music Partnership to Spain as Vogue España Publishes Branded Content
Philip Morris International's IQOS has extended its partnership with electronic-music event brand ZAMNA to Spain, setting up a House of IQOS at ZAMNA Madrid. Vogue España and Time Out Madrid subsequently published branded content clearly labeled as collaborations with IQOS. PMI has also expanded its company-owned IQOS boutique network in Spain to seven cities this year. The company says IQOS's adjusted heated-tobacco market share in Europe reached 12.6% in the first quarter of 2026, with Spain among its stronger-performing European markets.
Sep.20
Russia’s Vape Device Labeling Regime Enters Force: Registration Starts in September, Mandatory Coding in December
Russia’s Vape Device Labeling Regime Enters Force: Registration Starts in September, Mandatory Coding in December
Russia's digital labeling regime for reusable e-cigarettes and similar personal vaping devices entered its first mandatory phase in September 2026. From September 1, manufacturers, importers and other market participants must register with the national Chestny ZNAK tracking system. From December 1, newly manufactured and imported covered devices will be required to carry digital identification codes and be reported as entering circulation. Russia has also issued new operational guidance for imports, marking the transition from a voluntary pilot to phased mandatory implementation.
Sep.15
Pennsylvania Vape Directory Law Survives Court Challenge From Nova Distro and Others Amid Similar Rulings Across States
Pennsylvania Vape Directory Law Survives Court Challenge From Nova Distro and Others Amid Similar Rulings Across States
A U.S. federal court upheld Pennsylvania's vape directory law on October 14, rejecting a challenge brought by Nova Distro, 101 Distributors and companies operating Tobacco Hut retail stores. Court records show that vaping accounts for about 60% of Tobacco Hut's profits and that the chain held approximately $2 million in inventory potentially subject to seizure under the law as of June 2. Pennsylvania began enforcement on October 19. The ruling follows similar appellate decisions in other states, even as new research shows that unlisted vaping products continue to account for substantial sales in states with established directories.
Regulations
Oct.22