Kazakhstan police uncover $110,000 worth of illegal e-cigarette trade

Oct.29.2024
Kazakhstan police uncover $110,000 worth of illegal e-cigarette trade
Kazakh police uncover $110,000 worth of illegal e-cigarettes at industrial base in Ekibastuz, with two suspects detained.

According to a report from Kazinform on October 28th, Kazakhstani police discovered a shipment of e-cigarettes valued at 55 million tenge (110,000 USD) at an industrial site in Ekibastuz. The goods were intended for illegal transactions through social media and messaging apps. In addition, authorities also seized nearly 1100 bottles of e-cigarette liquid.


According to police sources, this batch of illegal goods was originally intended for sale. Despite knowing that the circulation of these products has been officially prohibited, some young people continue to sell these e-cigarettes through online stores on well-known social media platforms and instant messaging apps. Currently, two suspects have been detained by the police on suspicion of selling and distributing illegal e-cigarettes.


At the same time, law enforcement officers intercepted a vehicle carrying e-cigarettes during the raid. It is believed that this batch of e-cigarettes was also intended to be delivered to customers who placed orders online.


On June 20th, Kazakhstan officially implemented a law to revise and supplement certain health-related legal provisions, which explicitly bans the sale of smokeless tobacco products and e-cigarettes.


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

Australia’s TGA Places Nicotine Pouches Under Therapeutic Goods Rules From July 24, Blocking Imports of Unapproved Products
Australia’s TGA Places Nicotine Pouches Under Therapeutic Goods Rules From July 24, Blocking Imports of Unapproved Products
Australia is strengthening controls on nicotine pouches under its existing therapeutic goods regulatory framework. According to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), nicotine pouch products must meet regulatory requirements, and unapproved products cannot be legally imported. The move follows Australia’s broader approach of maintaining strict oversight of nicotine products, including nicotine-containing vapes. As nicotine pouches expand globally, Australia’s regulatory approach highlights growing differences in how countries manage emerging smoke-free nicotine products.
Regulations
Jul.27
FTC Scrutinizes Fifty Bar’s “Made in America” Claims as Vape Marketing Faces New Compliance Risk
FTC Scrutinizes Fifty Bar’s “Made in America” Claims as Vape Marketing Faces New Compliance Risk
The Federal Trade Commission sent a warning letter to Lucky Bar Holdings LLC over “Made in the USA” claims tied to Fifty Bar vape products, saying staff had reason to believe the products may be imported in whole or in significant part despite unqualified U.S.-origin marketing claims.
Jul.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
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
Nicotine Pouches Gain Ground in U.S. Convenience Stores as Vape Unit Sales Fall 14%
Nicotine Pouches Gain Ground in U.S. Convenience Stores as Vape Unit Sales Fall 14%
According to convenience retail publication CStore Decisions, U.S. convenience store tobacco categories are undergoing a structural shift. Based on Circana OmniMarket Total U.S. Convenience data for the 52 weeks ending June 14, 2026, cigarettes remained the largest category with $50.8 billion in sales, but unit sales declined 5.3%. Electronic smoking devices and vaping products also declined, while modern oral nicotine products continued to grow, with nicotine pouch sales rising 29% in dollars and 17% in units. Retailers said changing consumer preferences are reshaping tobacco product assortments at convenience stores.
Regulations
Aug.07
WIRED Investigation: Chinese-Made Vapes Turn to 6-Methyl-Nicotine and Other Analogs, Challenging U.S. Regulation
WIRED Investigation: Chinese-Made Vapes Turn to 6-Methyl-Nicotine and Other Analogs, Challenging U.S. Regulation
U.S. technology and investigative publication WIRED has examined how nicotine analogs are emerging as a new challenge for the country’s vape regulatory framework. The article argues that after the U.S. expanded federal oversight of nicotine products in 2022, some manufacturers began using nicotine-like compounds such as 6-methyl-nicotine that may fall outside existing definitions. Researchers cited by WIRED said some nicotine analogs could be more potent than traditional nicotine, although human health impacts remain unclear. U.S. policymakers are considering broader definitions of nicotine to bring these compounds under federal oversight.
Jul.27