[By 2Firsts – Reporting from Shenzhen]On June 12, 2025, the Shenzhen office of the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration (STMA) announced the launch of a month-long special inspection targeting local vape companies. The inspection, which runs from June 12 to July 11, is part of China’s second cycle of e-cigarette business license renewals.
This move marks the latest development in China’s tightening regulatory oversight of the vaping sector. Since the nationwide licensing system was introduced in 2022, the industry has operated under stricter supervision. According to multiple sources, the intensity of this inspection is expected to increase significantly, and some companies may risk losing their licenses due to non-compliance or inadequate qualifications.
Earlier, 2Firsts reported on an STMA press conference summarizing the outcomes of the past two years of e-cigarette regulation. At the event, STMA stated that production capacity in the e-cigarette sector has already exceeded demand. This remark was widely interpreted as a signal that the issuance of production licenses may soon be tightened.
2Firsts will continue to provide timely updates and authoritative analysis on China’s evolving e-cigarette regulatory landscape.
