Suspected Interference in E-Cigarette Regulation by Special Interest Groups

Sep.20.2024
Suspected Interference in E-Cigarette Regulation by Special Interest Groups
Indonesian MP Mukhamad Misbakhun suspects certain interest groups influencing e-cigarette regulations for potential company benefits.

According to the Indonesian media Liputan6 on September 19, 2024, Mukhamad Misbakhun, a member of the eleventh committee of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia, suspects that certain interest groups are interfering with the regulations in the draft Ministerial Regulation on the Safety of Tobacco and E-cigarette Products (RPMK), which could benefit certain e-cigarette companies.


Mr. Misbah pointed out that there is inconsistency between Article 3 and Article 7 of the draft. Article 3, paragraph 1 of the Tobacco Control Regulations stipulates that the scope of application of the Minister of Health's regulations includes standardizing the packaging of tobacco products and e-cigarette products. Paragraph 3 of Article 3 further specifies that e-cigarette products include the following: open or refillable nicotine e-liquid systems; closed or disposable pod systems; and solid forms.


However, the first provision of Article 7 regarding standardized packaging only covers open system or refillable e-cigarette products. The second provision of Article 7 regulates the packaging of closed systems (i.e. pods). Misbah emphasized that solid e-cigarettes have not been further regulated, and he suspects that there may be influence from global tobacco companies requesting the Ministry of Health not to regulate and control solid e-cigarettes, as these products are mainly imported solid products.


Previously, the government regulation issued by the Ministry of Health on 28/2024 had sparked opposition from various parties, including stakeholders in the tobacco industry. Currently, the Ministry of Health is finalizing the RPMK draft, however, this draft is also facing criticism and opposition from various sides.


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

New York’s 75% Wholesale Tax on Nicotine Pouches Takes Effect Sept. 1, With Aug. 31 Inventory Subject to Floor Tax
New York’s 75% Wholesale Tax on Nicotine Pouches Takes Effect Sept. 1, With Aug. 31 Inventory Subject to Floor Tax
New York State will extend its tobacco products tax to “alternative nicotine products,” including tobacco-free nicotine pouches, from September 1, 2026, at a rate of 75% of the wholesale price. Distributors, wholesalers and retailers must also inventory products held as of 11:59 p.m. on August 31 and pay a floor tax. Vapor products are excluded from the new category and remain subject to New York's separate 20% supplemental sales tax on the retail price.
Aug.26
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
Product | VEEV One Plus Goes Official as PMI Strengthens Its Closed-Pod Vaping Portfolio
Product | VEEV One Plus Goes Official as PMI Strengthens Its Closed-Pod Vaping Portfolio
Philip Morris International (PMI) has officially introduced the VEEV One Plus, the next-generation device in its closed-pod vaping lineup. The product is now featured on the official VEEV website in Portugal, bringing hardware upgrades including a new dual-pod storage system, a larger battery, and an updated device design while maintaining compatibility with existing VEEV One pods.
Jul.02
Tobacco Companies Are Redesigning Nicotine Products. BAT Wins Three Red Dot Awards
Tobacco Companies Are Redesigning Nicotine Products. BAT Wins Three Red Dot Awards
According to BAT and the Red Dot Design Award website, BAT’s glo Hilo Plus, Vuse Pro One Box and Vuse Ultra x McLaren F1 Team Limited Edition received Red Dot recognition in the Product Design 2026 competition.BAT said the awards reflect not only the design quality of the individual products but also the development of design as a core internal capability across industrial design, user experience and sustainability. Red Dot’s product pages describe glo Hilo Plus as a two-part tobacco heater with a pen and charging case, plus a touch-sensitive AMOLED display. Vuse Pro One Box is described as a rechargeable e-cigarette with replaceable pods, USB-C charging and a switchable VapourBoost mode. Vuse Ultra x McLaren F1 Team Limited Edition brings motorsport-inspired design elements into a compact e-cigarette device and includes exchangeable batteries.
Jul.17
Japan’s Heated Tobacco Tax Changes Reshape Consumer Choices, Survey Reveals Impact of Price and Income
Japan’s Heated Tobacco Tax Changes Reshape Consumer Choices, Survey Reveals Impact of Price and Income
A consumer survey by Japanese heated tobacco information platform RELAZO found that rising tobacco prices and planned heated tobacco tax changes may influence smoking decisions among Japanese consumers. The survey covered 49,879 men and women aged 20 to 69 nationwide. It found that around 40% of respondents cumulatively indicated they may consider quitting when a pack reaches ¥600 (approximately US$4.1), while nearly 90% expressed potential quitting intentions at a ¥1,000 (approximately US$6.8) price level. The survey also found significant differences by income level, with lower-income respondents showing greater sensitivity to price increases.
Jul.24
UK Sets Oct. 29 Start for New Vape Retail Rules Covering Age Checks, Giveaways and Discounts
UK Sets Oct. 29 Start for New Vape Retail Rules Covering Age Checks, Giveaways and Discounts
The UK Department of Health and Social Care published new guidance on Aug. 11 outlining the next phase of retail rules under the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, which will take effect on Oct. 29, 2026. The measures extend the minimum age of sale of 18 to all vaping and consumer nicotine products and restrict proxy purchasing, promotional giveaways and substantial discounts. Relevant offences in England, Wales and Scotland may carry a £200 fixed penalty notice, while persistent offenders can face temporary sales bans.
Aug.12