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

Australia’s TGA Places Nicotine Pouches Under Therapeutic Goods Rules From July 24, Blocking Imports of Unapproved Products
Australia’s TGA Places Nicotine Pouches Under Therapeutic Goods Rules From July 24, Blocking Imports of Unapproved Products
Australia is strengthening controls on nicotine pouches under its existing therapeutic goods regulatory framework. According to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), nicotine pouch products must meet regulatory requirements, and unapproved products cannot be legally imported. The move follows Australia’s broader approach of maintaining strict oversight of nicotine products, including nicotine-containing vapes. As nicotine pouches expand globally, Australia’s regulatory approach highlights growing differences in how countries manage emerging smoke-free nicotine products.
Regulations
Jul.27
UK HMRC Plans 30,000 Retail Enforcement Actions as Illegal Tobacco and Vape Sellers Face Tougher Crackdown
UK HMRC Plans 30,000 Retail Enforcement Actions as Illegal Tobacco and Vape Sellers Face Tougher Crackdown
The UK government has announced that HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will carry out more than 30,000 interventions targeting businesses and retail premises during the 2026-2027 financial year. The actions will focus on tax fraud, illegal goods sales and businesses involved in unlawful activities through retail channels. The government said illegal tobacco and illegal vape sales remain areas of concern. The move shows that UK enforcement against illegal nicotine products is expanding from import and supply channels toward retail-level oversight, alongside the upcoming introduction of the Vaping Products Duty.
Jul.24
SMOORE’s DOJO by VAPORESSO to Launch New Global Brand Identity on September 1
SMOORE’s DOJO by VAPORESSO to Launch New Global Brand Identity on September 1
According to recent LinkedIn posts from people at VAPORESSO, SMOORE and a German distribution partner, vape brand DOJO will begin rolling out a new global brand identity on September 1, 2026, led by a redesigned handwritten logo. The new visual system will be gradually applied across product packaging, marketing materials and digital assets over the following months. Fabio Corsaro, Head of Marketing and Purchasing at MG Wesel GmbH, said the rebrand was related to trademark issues, but that explanation has not been publicly confirmed by DOJO, VAPORESSO or SMOORE. DOJO is currently promoting its Blast X product in Germany.
Aug.31
U.S. Appeals Court Says BAT Must Face Class Action Over Cigarette Labels
U.S. Appeals Court Says BAT Must Face Class Action Over Cigarette Labels
A U.S. appeals court ruled that British American Tobacco (BAT) must continue facing a consumer class action lawsuit over cigarette labels. The ruling allows the case to proceed but does not determine that BAT violated the law or is liable for damages. The case highlights ongoing legal risks facing major tobacco companies related to product labeling, consumer disclosures and product liability claims.
Jul.31
FDA Tobacco Proposal Signals Full-Chain Compliance Test for Global E-Cigarette Supply Chains
FDA Tobacco Proposal Signals Full-Chain Compliance Test for Global E-Cigarette Supply Chains
FDA’s proposed foreign tobacco establishment registration and product listing rule remains unfinished, but Accorto told 2Firsts it reflects a shift toward structured oversight similar to medical device and pharmaceutical compliance frameworks. For Chinese and global e-cigarette suppliers, U.S. market access is moving beyond product authorization toward full-chain compliance covering manufacturing, documentation, import control, distribution, retail and marketing discipline.
Special Report
Jul.09
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