Shenzhen Police Uncover Counterfeit ALIBARBAR Vape Case Worth Tens of Millions

Nov.18.2024
Shenzhen Police Uncover Counterfeit ALIBARBAR Vape Case Worth Tens of Millions
Shenzhen police, in collaboration with the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, successfully cracked a major case involving counterfeit ALIBARBAR vapes.

Statement:

On November 22, 2Firsts received a letter from Shenzhen Xiyue Intelligent Technology Manufacturing Co., Ltd. The letter stated that the products shown in the original and counterfeit comparison images in the article "ALIBARBAR Counterfeit Case," first published on sznews were not produced by the company. However, the vape production license number displayed in the images belongs to the company and is suspected of being misappropriated.

 

Since sznews has removed the images, 2Firsts has also deleted them. This statement is issued for clarification.


Shenzhen police and the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration seized tens of thousands of counterfeit ALIBARBAR vapes worth millions, cracking a major case and targeting illegal counterfeit sales, sznews reported on November 15.

 

Shenzhen Police Uncover Counterfeit ALIBARBAR Vape Case Worth Tens of Millions
Crime scene | Image source: sznews

 

Law enforcement in Shenzhen conducted simultaneous raids across multiple locations in one district, shutting down three counterfeit vape production and sales operations. The raids resulted in the seizure of tens of thousands of fake ALIBARBAR vapes, along with manufacturing equipment, raw materials, and packaging materials.

 

Shenzhen Police Uncover Counterfeit ALIBARBAR Vape Case Worth Tens of Millions
Scene of the crime | Image source: sznews

 

During interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crimes of producing and selling counterfeit vapes. They admitted to manufacturing large quantities of fake vapes for high profits and distributing them to overseas markets. The case is currently under further investigation.

 

Shenzhen Police Uncover Counterfeit ALIBARBAR Vape Case Worth Tens of Millions
Crime scene | Image source: sznews

 

Shenzhen police announced their commitment to cracking down on counterfeit production and sales, working closely with the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration and other authorities to protect consumer rights. 

 

They also advised consumers to buy vape products only from official channels, warning that using counterfeit products could lead to serious health risks.

Snowplus Enters Japan’s FamilyMart Network With Zero-Nicotine NEO Line and Kishidan Campaign
Snowplus Enters Japan’s FamilyMart Network With Zero-Nicotine NEO Line and Kishidan Campaign
Snowplus distributor H&S said the zero-nicotine, zero-tar NEO vaping line will begin rolling out across FamilyMart stores in Japan from September 14, 2026, excluding some locations. The DASH line will also be sold at selected FamilyMart stores in southern Kyushu and Okinawa. Snowplus simultaneously named Japanese rock band Kishidan as a brand ambassador, combining convenience-store distribution with a broader consumer marketing push in Japan.
Sep.15
JAMA Study: U.S. Vape Directories Fail to Sustainably Curb Unlisted Sales as Product Shifts May Redistribute Brand Share 2Firsts Recommended
JAMA Study: U.S. Vape Directories Fail to Sustainably Curb Unlisted Sales as Product Shifts May Redistribute Brand Share 2Firsts Recommended
A study by CDC Foundation researchers found no sustained decline in e-cigarette sales across Alabama, Oklahoma and Louisiana, the first three U.S. states to implement e-cigarette directory laws. Louisiana initially saw a significant sales decline, followed by a rebound and a persistent reduction in product availability. Sales also shifted from nontobacco-flavored disposables toward prefilled cartridges, with Vuse Alto driving much of the increase in menthol cartridges. By April 2025, unlisted products still accounted for more than half of e-cigarette nicotine sales in all three states.
Sep.18
Australia’s Victoria Steps Up Illegal Tobacco Enforcement With Store Closures and Penalties of Up to A$2.5 Million
Australia’s Victoria Steps Up Illegal Tobacco Enforcement With Store Closures and Penalties of Up to A$2.5 Million
Australia’s state of Victoria has activated new powers allowing Tobacco Licensing Victoria and police to shut premises suspected of selling, supplying or possessing illicit tobacco for up to 90 days. Longer closures can be ordered by a magistrates’ court. Businesses subject to closure orders must generally cease all trading and will be placed on a public list. Breaching a closure order can carry penalties of up to A$2.5 million and 20 years in prison.
Sep.10
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
Special Report | Altria Subsidiaries Sue FDA to Vacate 2021 PMTA Rule as Agency Moves to Speed Reviews
Special Report | Altria Subsidiaries Sue FDA to Vacate 2021 PMTA Rule as Agency Moves to Speed Reviews
2Firsts reviewed the original federal court complaint filed by Altria subsidiaries Helix Innovations and NJOY on Sept. 2 challenging FDA’s 2021 PMTA rule. The lawsuit questions whether FDA’s review process complies with the Tobacco Control Act’s 180-day timeline, even as the agency moves to accelerate PMTA reviews and issues more marketing orders. Drawing on the complaint, FDA records, government audits and recent court rulings, 2Firsts examines the legal arguments, supporting evidence and potential implications for the U.S. tobacco review system.
Regulations
Sep.03
EU Tobacco Tax Reform Targets November Push as Sweden Holds Nicotine-Pouch Minimum at €20 per Kilogram
EU Tobacco Tax Reform Targets November Push as Sweden Holds Nicotine-Pouch Minimum at €20 per Kilogram
The Irish presidency of the Council of the European Union is using bilateral talks to push the bloc’s Tobacco Taxation Directive toward a political agreement in November. According to Law360, citing an EU official, Sweden is unwilling to accept a minimum excise threshold above €20 per kilogram for nicotine pouches. Council negotiations have already lowered the European Commission’s original proposal, but a May 2026 presidency compromise still set the minimum at 10% of the tax-inclusive retail price or €30 per kilogram in 2028-29, with higher levels later.
Market
Sep.17 by 2Firsts Perspectives