Insights on the Current and Future Trends of the E-cigarette Supply Chain

Aug.21.2023
Insights on the Current and Future Trends of the E-cigarette Supply Chain
2FIRSTS Releases E-Cigarette Supply Chain Survey Report on Industry Trends and Performance in First Half of 2023.

As the e-cigarette industry continues to flourish, both the industry itself and the public have gained a deeper understanding of the e-cigarette supply chain. In order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the various aspects of the e-cigarette supply chain and investigate its current state, 2FIRSTS released a survey on the e-cigarette supply chain for the first half of 2023 on July 10th.


The investigation covered the current state and future prospects of supply chain companies in the e-cigarette industry. A total of 45 valid questionnaires were received, providing valuable information for the e-cigarette supply chain. Through the analysis of these data, a series of results reflecting the current industry status and future trends were obtained, which have been compiled into a report for this survey.


Outstanding performance in the first half of the year.


According to the data, more than 60% of companies achieved growth in the first half of 2023, with 11.9% even exceeding expectations. On the other hand, 19.0% of companies experienced a decline in performance as expected, while 16.7% saw a performance decline that surpassed expectations.


Optimistic Outlook for the Future of the Middle Eastern Market


In terms of market outlook for the second half of 2023, the Middle East market has received the highest rating with an average score of 4.05. Following closely behind are the Southeast Asia, Continental Europe, UK, and US markets, with scores of 3.61, 3.58, 3.41, and 3.05 respectively. However, supply chain companies have expressed a pessimistic outlook for the Russian market, giving it a meager score of 2.72.


The global atomization market is expected to continue to grow.


More than 80% of e-cigarette supply chain companies believe that the global vaporization market will continue to grow in the second half of the year. Among them, 17.8% of companies predict high growth in the market, while less than 20% of companies believe that the market will either maintain low growth or not grow at all.


The policy represents the instability of the e-cigarette market.


According to a survey, 40% of e-cigarette supply chain companies believe that the policies implemented by various countries have had a negative impact on their performance expectations. On the other hand, 33.3% of companies believe that these policies have not had a significant impact, while 26.7% believe that they have had a positive impact.


Innovative disposable e-cigarettes have become the center of attention.


In terms of product categories, disposable e-cigarettes and innovative disposable e-cigarettes have become the focus of attention for supply chain companies in the second half of 2023. However, depending on the region, the American and British markets show higher interest in innovative disposable e-cigarettes compared to disposable e-cigarettes. In the European continental market, the level of interest in various categories of e-cigarettes is similar, while the Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern, and Russian markets primarily focus on disposable e-cigarettes.


The above is a section of the survey conducted by 2FIRSTS on the e-cigarette supply chain. If you would like to obtain the complete version of the survey report and gain a detailed understanding of the current status and future trends of the e-cigarette supply chain, please click on the link below to access the full report.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

As FDA Reshapes PMTA Reviews and ENDS Enforcement Priorities, CTP Acting Director Bret Koplow to Keynote NATO Event for a Retail Network of 66,000-Plus Stores
As FDA Reshapes PMTA Reviews and ENDS Enforcement Priorities, CTP Acting Director Bret Koplow to Keynote NATO Event for a Retail Network of 66,000-Plus Stores
Bret Koplow, acting director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Tobacco Products, will deliver a keynote and participate in a fireside chat at the National Association of Tobacco Outlets' Sept. 29-30 conference in Washington. His appearance comes months after the FDA moved to accelerate PMTA reviews and introduced a more differentiated enforcement policy for certain unauthorized ENDS and oral nicotine pouch products. The agency also plans a public list identifying manufacturers and products it does not currently intend to prioritize for enforcement under the May guidance. NATO says its membership includes more than 66,000 retail stores, making product-status transparency and enforcement boundaries directly relevant to the retail sector.
Aug.14
South Korean Lawmaker Jeong Jin-wook Pushes Synthetic Nicotine Vape Probe, Highlighting Supply Chain and Tax Concerns
South Korean Lawmaker Jeong Jin-wook Pushes Synthetic Nicotine Vape Probe, Highlighting Supply Chain and Tax Concerns
South Korean lawmaker Jeong Jin-wook has again called for stronger government action against liquid synthetic nicotine vape manufacturers and sellers, alleging that some businesses may have avoided regulation through product labeling changes and corporate restructuring. According to Newsworks, JNILBO and other Korean reports, Jeong has held his third press conference on the issue, calling for a government-wide investigation. The dispute involves whether synthetic nicotine products should fall under tobacco regulations, tax implications and supply-chain transparency. South Korean government agencies have previously said some estimates of potential tax losses cannot be verified due to limited sales data.
Jul.27
PMI Expands IQOS and VEEV Presence at Frankfurt Airport Through Travel Retail Pop-Ups
PMI Expands IQOS and VEEV Presence at Frankfurt Airport Through Travel Retail Pop-Ups
According to The Moodie Davitt Report, PMI Global Travel Retail and Frankfurt Airport Retail have launched new IQOS and VEEV retail spaces at Frankfurt Airport. The installations, located inside and outside duty-free areas, showcase IQOS heated tobacco products and VEEV e-vapor products through product education, consumer interaction and brand experiences. Frankfurt Airport Retail, operated by Fraport Group and Gebr. Heinemann, manages key retail activities at Frankfurt Airport. The initiative follows PMI’s broader strategy of expanding smoke-free products through global travel retail channels. PMI has previously introduced VEEV products across multiple European airports while continuing to expand IQOS and VEEV availability in international markets.
Jul.17
Russia Adds Vapes to “Strategic Goods” List, Illegal Cross-Border Trade Faces Up to Five Years in Prison
Russia Adds Vapes to “Strategic Goods” List, Illegal Cross-Border Trade Faces Up to Five Years in Prison
Russia will place e-cigarettes and related nicotine products under its “strategic goods” framework from August 20, 2026. According to TVP World’s report published on August 19, the newly listed items include e-cigarettes, electronic smoking devices, vape liquids and nicotine salts. Individuals who illegally move these products across Russia’s customs border or its state border with other Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) members could face up to five years in prison if shipment values exceed 100,000 rubles (about €1,000), provided all elements of a criminal offence are established.
Aug.20
Australia-China Operation Dismantles Tobacco Smuggling Network: 112 Containers, 60 Arrests and A$92 Million in Illicit Tobacco
Australia-China Operation Dismantles Tobacco Smuggling Network: 112 Containers, 60 Arrests and A$92 Million in Illicit Tobacco
According to The Maritime Executive on August 19, 2026, the Australian Border Force (ABF) and China’s Anti-Smuggling Bureau of General Administration of China Customs worked together to dismantle an international illicit tobacco smuggling network targeting Australia. According to information released by ABF on August 20, sustained information sharing and cooperation led to investigations into 112 shipping containers, with 91 found to contain illicit tobacco. Authorities seized more than 60 million cigarettes and 60 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco, representing more than A$92 million in unpaid duties. More than 60 people suspected of involvement in the network were arrested in China.
Aug.20
China’s HTP Exports Fell 14.3% in H1 2026 as Russia and Belarus Accounted for 76% Lead
China’s HTP Exports Fell 14.3% in H1 2026 as Russia and Belarus Accounted for 76% Lead
In H1 2026, China’s HS 24041100 exports stood at $1.32 million, down 14.3% YoY, with volume falling 17.2% to 55.33 tons. Market distribution shifted drastically amid overall export drops. Exports to Russia and Belarus totaled $1 million, taking 76.0% of all shipments versus 29.5% in H1 2025. Belarus became the top destination with export value jumping 177.5%, while the Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia’s combined share slumped from 49.3% to 11.2%.Domestically, Yunnan led exporter registrations; Jiangsu and Shanghai were key suppliers, yet Anhui and Sichuan had no exports. Heavy concentration means order or declaration changes for Russia/Belarus greatly affect national aggregate data. The data shows customs entry points (not end markets), covering tobacco consumables only, excluding heating equipment and the complete HTP supply chain.
Aug.11