Global E-Cig Regulation Trends in Comparison to UK

Regulations by 2FIRSTS
Jan.29.2024
Global E-Cig Regulation Trends in Comparison to UK
The UK government plans to ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes by the end of next year to address youth usage.

According to a report from British media inews on January 29, the UK government is planning to ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes by the end of next year in an effort to combat their use among teenagers. The Department of Health and Social Care has developed a plan to prohibit the sale of disposable e-cigarettes and restrict flavors in order to deter adolescent usage. Additionally, the government is also planning to introduce anti-tobacco legislation that would prohibit individuals born after 2009 from consuming tobacco products.

 

The government is concerned about the harm of disposable tobacco devices on young people. Public data shows that e-cigarette users between the ages of 11 and 17 have increased ninefold in the past two years, with 9% of children aged 11 to 15 now using these devices.

 

Compared to other countries, the regulations on e-cigarettes in the United Kingdom remain relatively loose.

 

Several other countries have already implemented e-cigarette regulations that are stricter than the regulations about to be introduced in the UK. Germany and the Netherlands, for instance, have banned all flavored e-cigarettes in order to prevent children from being attracted to them.

 

Last year, France unanimously approved a ban on all disposable e-cigarettes, a policy that its government intends to implement in September.

 

In May of this year, Australia joined the ranks of Singapore, Thailand, and Hong Kong in announcing a ban on the importation of disposable e-cigarettes and all non-prescription e-cigarette products.

 

In Australia, e-cigarettes can now only be purchased with a prescription, with restrictions in place on their flavors and nicotine content.

 

New Zealand, a neighboring country, has also strengthened regulations on the marketing of e-cigarettes, prohibiting sales near schools.

 

Quebec, Canada's largest province, has voted to ban the sale of flavored e-cigarette products.

 

In other parts of Canada, the minimum age to vape e-cigarettes is 18 years, whereas in the United States, one must be at least 21 years old to purchase e-cigarettes.

 

In the United States, California has banned the sale of flavored e-cigarettes, and 12 other states are also planning to introduce similar restrictions.

 

The e-cigarette regulations in the UK have been criticized for being too lenient. Experts warn that brightly colored packaging and sweet flavors may lead to a new generation of children becoming addicted to nicotine. Some experts are calling for tobacco-related regulations to also apply to disposable e-cigarettes. Health activists emphasize the need for the UK to take more decisive action in public health to prevent a potential youth smoking crisis.

 


 

"UK Disposable E-Cigarette Ban" Series Report

 

Policy Updates
【1】UK Government Announces Ban on Disposable E-Cigarettes
【2】Original Text of UK Government's Disposable Ban Announcement

 

Market Dynamics
【1】After UK Disposable Ban: Retailers Clearing Stock, Major Distributors Turning to E-liquids and Open-Systems
【2】UK Announces Disposable E-Cigarette Ban: Smoore and Yinghe Technology Stock Prices Decline

 

Various Perspectives
【1】Black Market or Opportunity? Insiders' Perspectives on UK Disposable Ban

【2】Interview with Arcus Managing Director: Ban Will Lead to Black Market Surge, Manufacturers should Switch to Open Systems

 

Business Review

【1】Disposable Ban Impact: Is Smoore's Strategic Layout Empty Again?

 

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

China Tobacco International HK Warns First-Half Revenue May Fall 25%-30%, Tobacco Leaf and Duty-Free Exposure Highlight Reliance on Traditional Tobacco
China Tobacco International HK Warns First-Half Revenue May Fall 25%-30%, Tobacco Leaf and Duty-Free Exposure Highlight Reliance on Traditional Tobacco
CTIHK expects first-half 2026 revenue to fall 25%-30%, mainly due to lower tobacco leaf imports and delayed cigarette shipments to China’s domestic duty-free market. Its 2025 revenue mix—nearly 90% from tobacco leaf-related businesses and less than 1% from new tobacco products—shows continued exposure to traditional supply chains and trade variables.
Jun.18
Philip Morris Japan Unveils TEREA “Blossom Pearl” for IQOS ILUMA
Philip Morris Japan Unveils TEREA “Blossom Pearl” for IQOS ILUMA
Philip Morris Japan announced that it will launch “TEREA Blossom Pearl,” a new tobacco stick for IQOS ILUMA, on May 11. The new product will expand the TEREA lineup to 27 variants. It features a capsule menthol flavor with strawberry and subtle herbal notes and is priced at JPY 620, or about USD 4.14 based on an assumed rate of 1 JPY = 0.00668 USD. The exchange-rate source should be verified and added.
Apr.28 by 2FIRSTS.ai
AIR Romania Manufacturing Facility Expected to Begin Operations in Q1 2027
AIR Romania Manufacturing Facility Expected to Begin Operations in Q1 2027
AIR Limited announced on May 7, 2026, that it plans to open a new manufacturing facility of approximately 70,000 square feet in Stefanesti, Bucharest North, Romania. The facility is expected to begin operations by the first quarter of 2027. AIR said that once fully operational, the facility is expected to support more than 150 jobs and be capable of producing more than 4,000 tons of flavored shisha molasses each year.
May.08 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Turning Point Brands Reports Q1 2026 Net Sales of $124.3 Million as Modern Oral Net Sales Rise 133%
Turning Point Brands Reports Q1 2026 Net Sales of $124.3 Million as Modern Oral Net Sales Rise 133%
Turning Point Brands reported first-quarter 2026 results on May 7, covering the period ended March 31, 2026. Total consolidated net sales were $124.3 million, up 16.8% year on year. Gross profit was $68.3 million, up 14.6%, while net income fell 19.0% to $11.7 million. Adjusted EBITDA declined 6.5% to $25.9 million.
May.08 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Disposable Vape Ban Shifts Purchasing Formats as UK Vape Volume Falls 10.3%
Disposable Vape Ban Shifts Purchasing Formats as UK Vape Volume Falls 10.3%
Data from convenience insight agency Talysis shows that the value of tobacco, vapes and smoking alternatives in the independent convenience sector fell by 4.4% in the first quarter of 2026, while volume fell by 7.8%. The vaping subcategory declined by 3.9% in value and 10.3% in volume over the same period. Talysis said the impact of the disposable vape ban continues to pressure turnover and footfall.
May.08 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Canada Vape Enforcement Action Puts VAPME Website, Trademark and China Supply-Chain Links in Focus
Canada Vape Enforcement Action Puts VAPME Website, Trademark and China Supply-Chain Links in Focus
Quebec police seized about 300,000 suspected illegal vape products and froze more than C$1.8 million in funds. Local media said vapme.ca, a website selling flavoured vape products, was shut down during the operation.
Regulations
Jun.18