Russian Customs Seize 160,000 Illicit Chinese E-Cigarettes

Feb.07.2023
Russian Customs Seize 160,000 Illicit Chinese E-Cigarettes
16k illegal e-cigarettes worth RUB 38 million seized by Russian customs from China.

Recently, the Belgorod Customs in Russia seized 160,000 counterfeit electronic cigarettes smuggled from China, valued at 38 million rubles (approximately 3.63 million yuan).


Oleg Lapin, deputy head of the customs office in Belgorod, stated that the electronic cigarettes confiscated contained more than 20 milligrams per milliliter of nicotine, which is a violation of tobacco laws and deemed illegal.


Currently, the seized items have been transferred to the regional land management bureaus of the federal state property management agencies in Kaluga, Bryansk, and Smolensk regions.



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.

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
UK Directors Banned After 352,688 Vapes Imported From China Were Misdeclared as Medical Nebulizers in £15 Million Tax Case
UK Directors Banned After 352,688 Vapes Imported From China Were Misdeclared as Medical Nebulizers in £15 Million Tax Case
The UK Insolvency Service said YSK Enterprises imported large quantities of vapes from China in 2023, with a shipment addressed to the company declared as medical nebulizers before Border Force found 352,688 vaping products. HMRC calculated nearly £15 million ($20.3 million) in unpaid VAT and customs duty, alongside about £437,000 in corporation tax. Two directors were disqualified for nine years. The case predates the UK's Vaping Products Duty, which will introduce vape-specific excise and duty-stamp requirements from October 2026.
Regulations
Sep.11
Australian Coalition Taskforce Calls for 80% Tobacco Tax Cut to Combat Illicit Market
Australian Coalition Taskforce Calls for 80% Tobacco Tax Cut to Combat Illicit Market
According to SGST on August 26, 2026, Australia’s Coalition Illegal Tobacco Taskforce released a report recommending an up to 80% cut in tobacco excise to reduce the appeal of the illicit tobacco market. The report claimed organised crime groups now control about 80% of Australia’s tobacco market and argued that high excise rates have widened the price gap between legal and illegal products. The recommendation remains a policy proposal and has not been adopted by the Australian government, which said its focus remains on enforcement, compliance and additional resources.
Aug.27
Product | BAT Launches glo Hyper pro+ in Japan, Upgrading the Hyper Platform With Faster Start and Smart Device Management
Product | BAT Launches glo Hyper pro+ in Japan, Upgrading the Hyper Platform With Faster Start and Smart Device Management
British American Tobacco Japan (BAT Japan) has introduced glo Hyper pro+, an upgraded device within the existing glo Hyper platform. The device adds QuickStart™ rapid heating technology, an EasyView™ display and maintenance notification features to improve daily usability. Launched in Japan on July 13, 2026, glo Hyper pro+ maintains compatibility with existing Hyper-format tobacco sticks, including neo, Lucky Strike and KENT.
Jul.30
Product | BAT Japan Launches virto Bright Peach Click in Japan, Expanding glo Hilo’s Capsule-Based Flavor Portfolio
Product | BAT Japan Launches virto Bright Peach Click in Japan, Expanding glo Hilo’s Capsule-Based Flavor Portfolio
British American Tobacco Japan (BAT Japan) has introduced virto Bright Peach Click, a new heated tobacco stick designed for the glo Hilo system. The product expands the existing virto consumable lineup with a combination of tobacco, menthol and ripe peach flavors, featuring a capsule mechanism that releases additional fruit flavor when activated. The product launched in Japan on July 27, 2026, through glo official online channels, convenience stores and tobacco retailers.
Aug.03
As JUUL2 Wins FDA Authorization, Harm Reduction Journal Highlights the Role of Real-World Evidence in Nicotine Product Regulation
As JUUL2 Wins FDA Authorization, Harm Reduction Journal Highlights the Role of Real-World Evidence in Nicotine Product Regulation
A commentary published in the international open-access, peer-reviewed Harm Reduction Journal argues that randomized controlled trials remain central to evaluating smoking cessation efficacy but cannot alone capture real-world uptake, complete switching, longer-term use and population impact of non-combustible nicotine products such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches. The authors frame impact as “reach × efficacy” and call for real-world evidence to complement RCTs. Three days after publication, the FDA authorized three JUUL2 products and highlighted complete switching among adult smokers in explaining its decision, providing a timely regulatory backdrop to the debate.
Sep.08