Italian E-Cigarette Dealer Faces Tax Evasion Accusations in Bari City

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Nov.22.2023
Italian E-Cigarette Dealer Faces Tax Evasion Accusations in Bari City
An e-cigarette dealer in the city of Biella, Italy, is accused of evading €3.4 million in taxes.

According to an Italian e-cigarette independent press, sigmagazine, a distributor of e-cigarettes in the city of Biella, Italy, is facing accusations of evading taxes amounting to 3.4 million euros. Regulatory authorities have seized 1.2 million euros from the accused individual.

 

The dealer primarily engages in the e-cigarette and e-liquid business. Investigations have shown that the dealer evades taxes in Italy by establishing company structures in other European countries to mimic purchasing and selling products abroad. It is important to note that these operations actually take place within Italy, through online sales and physical stores in Biella, Cossato, Santhià (Samo), and Ivrea (Turin).

 

Investigators have pointed out that the dealer used a unique method to conceal sales proceeds. He requested customers to provide prepaid cards under his name. When customers needed to make purchases, they simply placed orders and topped up the prepaid cards owned by the seller. The seller would then extract the funds and deliver the ordered products. This practice resulted in a hidden taxable base of over €4 million, evading a total of €3.4 million in value-added tax and consumption tax.

 

According to sources, Italian law enforcement agencies have been tirelessly combating illegal activities associated with e-cigarettes and tobacco. It is crucial to acknowledge that the lawless frontier of the past is gradually fading away and should not make a comeback. However, there still exist unlawful behaviors that need to be uncovered and tackled, and this operation serves as a strong testament to addressing this issue.

 

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

Portugal to Tax Nicotine Pouches from 2026 at €0.065 per Gram
Portugal to Tax Nicotine Pouches from 2026 at €0.065 per Gram
Portugal’s 2026 State Budget adds nicotine pouches to the IEC by inserting Article 104-D into the Excise Code’s tobacco chapter. A specific duty of €0.065/g applies from 2026, with rounding to whole grams. The Budget also defines pouches (natural nicotine, up to 12 mg, tobacco-free, oral mucosal absorption). Lusa projects €1.676B in tobacco excise for 2026; combined levies near €1.993B.
Oct.30 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Switzerland's Geneva to enforce ban on disposable e-cigarettes following court ruling
Switzerland's Geneva to enforce ban on disposable e-cigarettes following court ruling
The Canton of Geneva has begun enforcing its ban on disposable e-cigarettes (“puffs”) after the cantonal court rejected industry appeals to suspend the law. Passed on August 29 by the Grand Council, the ban will now be actively monitored by trade inspectors, while a similar measure is already in force in Valais.
Nov.07 by 2FIRSTS.ai
2Firsts Interview with IBVTA: UK Vape Tax May Weaken Harm Reduction Efforts
2Firsts Interview with IBVTA: UK Vape Tax May Weaken Harm Reduction Efforts
As the UK prepares to introduce its first-ever vape tax in 2026, questions are growing about how the measure will reshape the country’s harm reduction landscape. IBVTA tells 2Firsts that while it was not in favour of the new duty, it accepts that it is being implemented and is working with regulators to ensure a smooth rollout — warning, however, that higher costs could slow smokers’ transition to safer alternatives.
Oct.07
Product | Compatible with Terea Sticks and Supporting Dual Heating: HiTaste Unveils New Heated Tobacco Device
Product | Compatible with Terea Sticks and Supporting Dual Heating: HiTaste Unveils New Heated Tobacco Device
HiTaste has introduced its new HNB device, the F10, on social media, highlighting its wrap-around heating and dual-heating features. Similar “dual-heating” and “one-stick-two-sessions” designs were widely showcased at InterTabac 2025, signaling that this technical direction is emerging as a new competitive focus among HNB brands.
Nov.17 by 2FIRSTS.ai
ACT Government Bill Targets Illicit Tobacco and Vapes with Tougher Powers
ACT Government Bill Targets Illicit Tobacco and Vapes with Tougher Powers
ACT Government Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith introduced the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Amendment Bill 2025, expanding authorised officers’ inspection, seizure and penalty powers to address illicit tobacco and vaping. The Bill enables $1,600 infringement notices for selling prohibited smoking products and classifies illicit tobacco as a prohibited smoking product under Territory law.
Oct.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
South Korea Again Delays Tobacco Business Act Amendment on Synthetic Nicotine
South Korea Again Delays Tobacco Business Act Amendment on Synthetic Nicotine
South Korea’s amendment to the Tobacco Business Act, which would classify synthetic nicotine vapes and vape liquids as “tobacco” for regulatory and taxation purposes, has been delayed once again. Despite the government stressing its urgency due to youth access and risks of illicit drug mixing, both ruling and opposition parties at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee meeting agreed that the bill requires further discussion.
Nov.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai