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

Japan to Raise Tobacco Taxes and Corporate Income Tax From April 1 to Help Fund Defense Spending
Japan to Raise Tobacco Taxes and Corporate Income Tax From April 1 to Help Fund Defense Spending
Japan will raise tobacco product taxes and corporate income tax from April 1 as part of a package of levies to help fund a five-year defense spending increase totaling JPY 43 trillion. Tobacco taxes will be raised in two stages, with the first increase taking effect on April 1 and the second in October, while personal income tax is planned to rise in January.
Mar.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Bonnie Herzog:U.S. nicotine market seen at about $67B in revenue by 2035 as smoke-free expands
Bonnie Herzog:U.S. nicotine market seen at about $67B in revenue by 2035 as smoke-free expands
Goldman Sachs Managing Director Bonnie Herzog said the U.S. nicotine market is attractive and growing, with total revenue projected to reach about $67 billion by 2035. She expects cigarettes to account for a smaller share of revenue (47%) as smoke-free revenue expands and becomes a key driver of industry profit growth. Herzog said smoke-free products represent about 48% of U.S. nicotine volumes today and could rise to roughly 75% by 2035.
Mar.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Product | GEEKBAR MATE 60K Launches in U.S. Channels With 15ml E-Liquid and Up to 60,000 Puffs
Product | GEEKBAR MATE 60K Launches in U.S. Channels With 15ml E-Liquid and Up to 60,000 Puffs
E-cigarette brand GEEKBAR has recently launched its new product, the GEEKBAR MATE 60K, on its official website. The product adopts a pod-based system, consisting of a reusable 900mAh device and a pod prefilled with 15ml of e-liquid and equipped with a built-in 200mAh battery, bringing the total battery capacity to 1100mAh. It supports both Regular and Pulse modes.
Mar.30 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Reynolds American launches U.S. investment plan: to invest $3.2 billion to expand capacity and advance a shift toward smokeless products
Reynolds American launches U.S. investment plan: to invest $3.2 billion to expand capacity and advance a shift toward smokeless products
Reynolds American says it will invest more than $3.2 billion across its U.S. operations by 2030. The investment began in 2024 and is expected to support more than 2,000 direct and indirect jobs. The company says the plan covers modernization and expansion of manufacturing facilities, scaling innovation and production, supply-chain initiatives and employee training, and also references its R&D spending and related site footprint.
Mar.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai
South Korea Expands Tobacco Harmful Components Testing System to Cover Synthetic Nicotine Liquid Vapes
South Korea Expands Tobacco Harmful Components Testing System to Cover Synthetic Nicotine Liquid Vapes
South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said on April 17 that it has additionally designated the International Characterization Research Institute as a tobacco harmful components testing body under the Act on the Management of Tobacco Harmfulness. The institute has research experience in analyzing harmful components in liquid e-cigarettes and has obtained recognition for tobacco-sector ISO 17025 requirements.
Apr.17 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Exhibition Insights | Geek Bar Booth Shows Two Fasoul Heat-Not-Burn Devices in Prague
Exhibition Insights | Geek Bar Booth Shows Two Fasoul Heat-Not-Burn Devices in Prague
At EVO NXT 2026 in Prague, the Geek Bar booth displayed two Fasoul heat-not-burn devices, Q1 Pro and C2. One stressed compact size, screen-led control and dual modes, while the other highlighted faster heating, a larger battery and added functions. Both were presented as compatible with IQOS TEREA and SENTIA sticks. Materials on a website displaying Fasoul-related information also show recent market activity in Japan and Italy.
Apr.20 by 2FIRSTS.ai