RELX Assists In Cracking Down On Counterfeit Products

Mar.19.2025
RELX Assists In Cracking Down On Counterfeit Products
RELX assists authorities in cracking down on 24 fake pod cases, seizing 700k counterfeit pods worth over 30m RMB.

Key points:

 

1. In 2024, RELX assisted law enforcement agencies in combating 24 cases of counterfeiting and selling fake goods, seizing nearly 700,000 counterfeit pods with a total value exceeding 30 million yuan.

 

2. Counterfeit products are being distributed through channels such as MLM, posing health risks such as excessive heavy metal contamination and battery explosions.

 

3. RELX is calling on consumers to purchase standard national standard products offline.

 


 

2Firsts, reporting from Shenzhen - RELX announced its latest achievement in combating counterfeit products on the 14th with the "Golden Shield Operation", Eastobacco reported.

 

In 2024, RELX assisted law enforcement in launching criminal strikes against 24 illegal dens involved in the manufacturing and storage of counterfeit RELX products. 

 

Nearly 700,000 fake RELX pods, as well as nearly 110,000 smoking devices and disposable products were seized, with the total amount involved exceeding 30 million yuan.

 

In June 2024, a counterfeiting operation in Guangdong province was busted with 5,260 fake RELX pods and 227 kilograms of illegal vaping liquid seized. 

 

The Shenzhen Institute of Measurement Quality Testing conducted tests on a batch of counterfeit e-cigarettes, finding that a disposable product had lead levels of 1,500ng/100 puffs, three times higher than national standards. Based on an estimated 5,000 puffs per use, consumers were inhaling 75 micrograms of lead with each puff.

 

Counterfeit products are often distributed through channels such as online sellers, deceiving consumers with labels such as "overseas purchasing" or "fruit flavored." 

 

However, these products came from very poor sanitary conditions in counterfeit workshops, posing serious health risks such as excessive levels of heavy metals, battery fires, and explosions.

 

RELX urging consumers not to blindly trust illegal products sold by online businesses such as micro-businesses, and instead choose to purchase legitimate products from licensed retail stores offline.

 

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

Sesh touts independence, 8VC backing and retail reach as it challenges tobacco-owned pouch brands
Sesh touts independence, 8VC backing and retail reach as it challenges tobacco-owned pouch brands
U.S. nicotine pouch brand Sesh has emphasized its independence from Altria, Philip Morris International and British American Tobacco, along with backing from investors including 8VC, celebrity supporters and a retail footprint of more than 7,500 stores, as it seeks to differentiate itself in a market where major pouch brands are owned by large tobacco companies.
Regulations
Jul.07 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Indonesia’s BNN Pushes Total Vape Ban as Health Ministry Tightens Tobacco Packaging Rules, Putting $40 Billion Industry at Risk
Indonesia’s BNN Pushes Total Vape Ban as Health Ministry Tightens Tobacco Packaging Rules, Putting $40 Billion Industry at Risk
Indonesia is entering a new phase of debate over vape and tobacco regulation. The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) has proposed a total vape ban, with some lawmakers supporting stronger restrictions. At the same time, the Health Ministry is advancing tobacco and nicotine regulations under Government Regulation No. 28/2024, including measures such as plain packaging and product controls. Tobacco and vape industries have warned that tighter rules could affect a sector worth around $40 billion, supporting about 6 million jobs and contributing significant tax revenue.
Jul.27
Iowa Enforces Vape Registry Law as Retailers Warn Product Limits Could Increase Store Pressure
Iowa Enforces Vape Registry Law as Retailers Warn Product Limits Could Increase Store Pressure
Iowa has begun enforcing its vape registry law, requiring vape products to be registered before they can be legally sold in the state. The move follows a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit to lift an injunction that had blocked enforcement. Retailers have warned that tighter product availability rules could increase pressure on vape shops. One Iowa retailer said that if only a limited number of products remain available, many stores could face significant business challenges.
Aug.06
FDA Grants PMTA Authorization to 11 ZYN ULTRA Nicotine Pouches, Bringing Total Authorized Pouches to 43
FDA Grants PMTA Authorization to 11 ZYN ULTRA Nicotine Pouches, Bringing Total Authorized Pouches to 43
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized 11 ZYN ULTRA nicotine pouch products made by Swedish Match USA through the premarket tobacco product application pathway on August 21, 2026. Ten of the authorized products have a labeled nicotine content of 9 mg, while ZYN ULTRA Smooth was authorized at 11 mg. The reviews were conducted through FDA’s nicotine pouch PMTA pilot program. FDA has now authorized 43 nicotine pouch products, including 23 through the pilot.
Aug.24
Earnings Analysis | CTIHK H1 2026 Revenue Falls 26.9% as Core Businesses Diverge and New Growth Drivers Remain to Be Proven
Earnings Analysis | CTIHK H1 2026 Revenue Falls 26.9% as Core Businesses Diverge and New Growth Drivers Remain to Be Proven
China Tobacco International (HK) reported a 26.9% revenue decline in H1 2026, while gross profit fell only 9.5%, revealing sharp divergence across its businesses. Tobacco leaf imports contracted, while leaf exports and Brazil operations expanded strongly. Cigarette exports faced China duty-free market transition, and new tobacco products remained small. Meanwhile, CTIHK continues to strengthen its role as an investment and financing platform, though major external deals have yet to emerge. 2Firsts examines what these shifts mean for its next growth drivers.
Capital Markets
Aug.24
FDA Authorizes JUUL2, Cites Adult Switching Amid Efforts to Speed PMTA Reviews
FDA Authorizes JUUL2, Cites Adult Switching Amid Efforts to Speed PMTA Reviews
The FDA authorized the JUUL2 device and tobacco- and menthol-flavored pods on Aug. 28, bringing the number of authorized e-cigarette products to 48. The agency highlighted complete switching among adult smokers, with six-week switching rates reaching 28.4%–49.3% for the menthol pod. The decision comes as FDA works to speed PMTA reviews, reduce application backlogs and expand authorized e-cigarette and nicotine-pouch products while maintaining enforcement priorities for unauthorized products.
Regulations
Aug.29