Ineffective Enforcement of E-Cigarette Sales Restrictions to Minors

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Jan.17.2024
Ineffective Enforcement of E-Cigarette Sales Restrictions to Minors
Swiss law prohibiting e-cigarette sales to minors fails to be effectively enforced, as a study reveals 25% of retailers still sell to them.

According to a report by Swiss media outlet RSI on January 16th, a series of inspections conducted in the Canton of Ticino, Switzerland, revealed that the regulations prohibiting the sale of e-cigarettes (e-cigs) to individuals below 18 years of age are not being effectively enforced.

 

In the inspection conducted by Radix Health Department in the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland, a quarter of the 112 surveyed sales points were found to still provide e-cigarettes and similar products to minors, with these sales points being in close proximity to 21 middle schools.

 

Since the amendment of the Health Law on June 1, 2023, the age restrictions on e-cigarettes have become stricter. The amendment requires e-cigarette retailers to request identification from customers when there are doubts about their age.

 

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

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
Product | BAT Launches VELO WRKS Nicotine Pouches in Sweden, Introducing Dual-Compartment Cans With Two Flavours
Product | BAT Launches VELO WRKS Nicotine Pouches in Sweden, Introducing Dual-Compartment Cans With Two Flavours
British American Tobacco (BAT)'s VELO brand launched the VELO WRKS nicotine pouch range in Sweden on November 2, 2026. The initial release features three Dual Can variants, each containing two separate flavours in a dual-compartment container. Each can holds 20 slim pouches with 8mg of nicotine per pouch and retails for SEK 52.99. According to VELO, the first release, Drop 1, is limited to 75,000 cans and will remain available until February 2027 or while stocks last. VELO positions WRKS as a platform for testing new product concepts and has introduced an online consumer feedback survey. EU trademark records show BAT applied to register VELO WRKS in March 2026 under Class 34, covering nicotine pouches, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and other tobacco-related goods.
product
Nov.03
U.S. Rep. Krishnamoorthi Questions FDA Over Planned PMTA Rewrite, Seeks Communications With Altria and Reynolds
U.S. Rep. Krishnamoorthi Questions FDA Over Planned PMTA Rewrite, Seeks Communications With Altria and Reynolds
U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi on Oct. 6 questioned the FDA over its plan to reassess and potentially replace the 2021 PMTA regulatory framework, asking the agency to identify provisions it may change or eliminate, state whether current scientific evidentiary standards will be maintained, and disclose communications with Altria, Reynolds and other parties challenging the rule. Krishnamoorthi led a congressional investigation into JUUL and youth vaping in 2019 and has since remained active on e-cigarette regulation and enforcement.
Regulations
Oct.08
FDA Unifies Tobacco Registration and Product Listing Form Across Product Categories
FDA Unifies Tobacco Registration and Product Listing Form Across Product Categories
The U.S. FDA has consolidated two tobacco establishment registration and product listing forms into a redesigned Form FDA 3741 covering all regulated product categories, including e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches. The current requirements remain limited to domestic establishments. Separately, the FDA has proposed extending registration and product listing requirements to foreign manufacturers, signaling greater regulatory attention to manufacturing entities and product-level information across the tobacco and nicotine supply chain.
FDA
Sep.30
Arizona Turns to a 50% Retail Vape Tax as Tobacco Tax Revenue Falls 47% From 2008
Arizona Turns to a 50% Retail Vape Tax as Tobacco Tax Revenue Falls 47% From 2008
Arizona's First Things First is pushing for an excise tax equal to 50% of the retail price of vaping products, estimating that the measure could generate about $100 million annually. The agency says its tobacco-tax revenue has fallen 47% from 2008 levels. Arizona has attempted to broaden its nicotine tax base in each of the past two years: a 2025 bill proposed a 50% wholesale-price tax, while a 2026 measure shifted to a 50% retail-price tax covering alternative nicotine products and vapor products. Separately, the state enacted HB 4001 this year to establish a new licensing and sales framework for alternative nicotine products.
Sep.21
Hawaii's Largest Independent Vape Retailer and Wholesaler Volcano to Close All 13 Stores Ahead of 2027 Sales Rules
Hawaii's Largest Independent Vape Retailer and Wholesaler Volcano to Close All 13 Stores Ahead of 2027 Sales Rules
Hawaii-based vaping company Volcano eCigs plans to close all 13 physical retail stores on December 31, 2026, affecting approximately 56 employees. Volcano operates retail, wholesale, proprietary product and online sales businesses and has previously described itself in legislative testimony as Hawaii's largest independent vape retailer and wholesaler. Its operating company, Jocor Enterprises LLC, filed a formal closure notice on November 4, citing changes in the state's regulatory environment. From January 1, 2027, Hawaii will restrict the sale, acquisition and possession of vaping devices and e-liquids not listed in a state product directory, alongside separate restrictions on certain disposable devices. The closure concerns Volcano's physical retail network; the company has not announced the termination of wholesale or online operations.
Market
Nov.09