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

EU to Abstain from WHO Tobacco Treaty Vote Amid Deep Internal Split
EU to Abstain from WHO Tobacco Treaty Vote Amid Deep Internal Split
The European Union will abstain from voting at the upcoming 11th session of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (COP11) in Geneva, following months of internal disagreement over how to regulate tobacco and nicotine products. The decision marks a rare and public fracture in EU health policy, reportedly driven by the European Commission’s hardline anti-tobacco stance.
Nov.18 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Two Malaysian Men Charged Over Illegal Import of  Vape Items at Singapore Checkpoint
Two Malaysian Men Charged Over Illegal Import of Vape Items at Singapore Checkpoint
Two Malaysian men arrested for illegally importing e-cigarettes at Woodlands Checkpoint, facing charges, court hearing on December 15. (20 words)
Nov.18 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Philip Morris International Restructures to Drive Its Smoke-Free Transformation
Philip Morris International Restructures to Drive Its Smoke-Free Transformation
Philip Morris International (PMI) announced a new organizational model effective January 1, 2026, creating two main business units — PMI International and PMI U.S. — to accelerate its smoke-free strategy. The restructuring replaces four regional segments with three: International Smoke-Free, International Combustibles, and U.S., enhancing agility, governance, and long-term growth in reduced-risk products.
Nov.05 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Indonesia’s Statistics Agency: Bali Leads Nation in E-Cigarette Use; Urban Usage Climbing Sharply
Indonesia’s Statistics Agency: Bali Leads Nation in E-Cigarette Use; Urban Usage Climbing Sharply
Indonesia’s statistics agency (BPS) reports in its latest publication, Statistics of People’s Welfare 2025, that Bali has the highest share of daily e-cigarette users at 1.66%, followed by East Kalimantan (1.59%) and the Special Region of Yogyakarta (1.24%). Daily vaping prevalence is higher in urban areas (0.77%) than in rural areas (0.53%).
Oct.16
Lawmakers Push to Include E-Cigarettes in Vietnam’s Revised Investment Law Ban
Lawmakers Push to Include E-Cigarettes in Vietnam’s Revised Investment Law Ban
Vietnam’s National Assembly has debated amendments to the Investment Law that would include e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, and nitrous oxide (N₂O) in the list of prohibited business activities. Lawmakers supported a total ban consistent with WHO recommendations and previous National Assembly resolutions, citing rising youth addiction rates. Finance Minister Nguyễn Văn Thắng confirmed that the ban would apply comprehensively, with a short transition period for foreign factories.
Nov.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Thai Police Seize 48,000 Illegal E-Cigarettes Worth About $630,000
Thai Police Seize 48,000 Illegal E-Cigarettes Worth About $630,000
Acting on directives from senior government and police officials, Thai authorities seized 48,301 e-cigarettes and related products in central Thailand, valued at about 20 million baht (approximately US$630,000), as part of a crackdown on illegal vaping.
Oct.15 by 2FIRSTS.ai