WeChat Announcement: Vape Included in Prohibited Items for Sale

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Mar.13.2024
WeChat Announcement: Vape Included in Prohibited Items for Sale
WeChat announces crackdown on personal accounts selling prohibited items to protect user information and rights.

On the evening of March 12th, the WeChat Security Center released a governance announcement titled "Announcement on Governing the Behavior of Personal WeChat Accounts Posting Information on the Sale of Prohibited Items." In order to regulate the information posting behavior of personal WeChat accounts, safeguard the information security and legitimate rights and interests of WeChat users, and for any personal WeChat accounts that publish, display, or disseminate various prohibited items for sale information in any form, the WeChat team will strictly follow the requirements of relevant national laws and regulations, as well as the provisions of the "Tencent WeChat Software License and Service Agreement" and the "WeChat Personal Account Usage Rules." Depending on the seriousness of the violation, a tiered punishment will be implemented: for violations, the content will be deleted upon discovery; for violating accounts, the WeChat account may be warned, restricted, or prohibited to use certain or all functions, the account may be temporarily suspended, or permanently banned.

 

Announcement disclosure: Personal WeChat accounts are not allowed to publish, display, or disseminate various prohibited items for sale information, including but not limited to the following examples:

 

01 Violating the rules by promoting pharmaceuticals or medical devices 

02 Tobacco and e-cigarette advertising 

03 Illegal categories such as sexual health products 

04 Controlled substances like aphrodisiacs 

05 Black and gray market items such as cheat software and fake IDs 

06 Pornographic and sexually suggestive content 

07 Weapons with killing power such as imitation guns, bows and arrows, controlled knives, and air guns 

08 Illegal loan content 

 

The WeChat Security Center reminds users that posting illegal or prohibited items for sale through social media platforms such as Moments, Video Accounts, or live streaming is a violation of rules. Assisting friends in promoting and selling illegal or prohibited items through reposts in Moments or WeChat groups can result in both the seller and reposter facing administrative penalties if issues arise.

 

Users are also reminded to cherish their WeChat account usage rights and not violate existing laws and regulations during use. The WeChat Security Center will handle violations according to relevant laws, regulations, and user agreement rules, and cooperate with authorities to protect the legitimate rights and interests of WeChat users and other parties.

 

The WeChat team is urging users to cherish their usage rights of WeChat accounts, strictly abide by laws and regulations, follow user agreements, and avoid engaging in any illegal activities. The WeChat Security Center will handle violations in accordance with laws and regulations and user agreements, and cooperate with relevant authorities to protect the legitimate rights and interests of WeChat users and other parties.

 

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

EU Launches Online Feedback as TPD Revision Enters New Milestone
EU Launches Online Feedback as TPD Revision Enters New Milestone
The European Commission has opened an online call for evidence on revising EU tobacco products and advertising rules, marking a new phase in the TPD/TAD review. Policy options may cover novel products, flavours, packaging, digital marketing and advertising. A 2Firsts review of 855 early submissions shows rapid engagement and recurring debate over differentiated regulation, harm reduction, youth protection, illicit trade and economic impact.
Special Report
May.21
Swedish Politicians Ask European Commission to Clarify Legality of France’s Nicotine Pouch Ban
Swedish Politicians Ask European Commission to Clarify Legality of France’s Nicotine Pouch Ban
France’s ban on oral nicotine pouches has triggered an immediate response in Sweden. Swedish Minister for Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa said Sweden had mobilized strongly against the ban and argued that it constitutes a clear obstacle to the free movement of goods within the EU single market. Swedish officials say the measure affects a strategically important domestic industry and conflicts with Sweden’s harm-reduction approach to public health.
Apr.14 by 2FIRSTS.ai
German Environment Minister Plans Bill to Ban Disposable E-Cigarettes This Year
German Environment Minister Plans Bill to Ban Disposable E-Cigarettes This Year
German Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider said he is preparing legislation to ban disposable e-cigarettes and will present a bill this year. Industry data estimated that legal e-cigarette sales in Germany rose by about one quarter in 2025 to €2.4 billion. Refillable devices are not expected to be affected by the ban.
May.09 by 2FIRSTS.ai
ZYN by IQOS to Roll Out Across Tokyo From May 11 Through IQOS Shops and Lawson
ZYN by IQOS to Roll Out Across Tokyo From May 11 Through IQOS Shops and Lawson
Philip Morris Japan announced on April 23 at a product briefing that ZYN by IQOS, an oral tobacco pouch previously launched in selected areas, will expand sales in Tokyo. The company said the product will be released progressively from May 11 through IQOS shops, Lawson and other outlets in the city. The launch will include four flavors, each offered in Low and Medium intensity levels, for a total of eight products.
Apr.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai
UK Vape Waste Falls 23% From 2024, but Recycling Group Says Fire Risks Remain High
UK Vape Waste Falls 23% From 2024, but Recycling Group Says Fire Risks Remain High
New research from UK recycling campaign group Material Focus says more than 6.3 million vapes and pods are still thrown away each week in the UK. The figure is down 23% from 8.2 million in 2024, which the group said suggests the June 2025 single-use vape ban has helped reduce waste, but it warned that the current level still represents a major waste of valuable materials and a significant fire risk.
Mar.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai
French Lawmakers Move to Extend Plain Packaging Rules to Vaping Product
French Lawmakers Move to Extend Plain Packaging Rules to Vaping Product
French lawmakers Nicolas Thierry and Pierre Cazenave said on April 15 that they will file a cross-party bill to extend plain packaging requirements to vaping products. Under the proposal, unit packs and outer packaging for vaping products, including those without nicotine, would become neutral and standardized in the same way cigarette packs have been since 2017.
Apr.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai