The public is still in time to voice their opinion about the proposed regulations, as the period for public comments on the draft regulation will end on January 29th.
Amongst other restrictions, the draft bill also proposes a list of 122 flavours that regulators should consider banning, including numerous fruit and alcohol flavours. The State Tobacco Monopoly Administration’s draft rules amend the country’s tobacco monopoly, extending it to e-cigarettes. Moreover, as per the draft, local businesses must register with the tobacco authority, and local manufacturers must obtain an additional licence to prove they are in possession of sufficient funds for production, and for a facility and equipment that meet the set standards.
The tobacco authority added that it will establish a “unified national electronic cigarette transaction management platform” that all licensed e-cigarette wholesalers and retailers must sell products through.” This would facilitate tax collection and payment of e-cigarettes, which “shall be implemented in accordance with national taxation laws and regulations.”
This also means that vaping products and their manufacturers will be regulated strictly by the Chinese government in the same way as cigarettes. Filter recently highlighted that if done right, this could mean that “China is about to revolutionize global tobacco harm reduction.”
Similarly, chairman of Shenzhen Shikai Technology Wang Shenyi said that adequate regulations could lead to better market. “We can look at the next management measures or national standards in a way that won’t restrict the industry’s development, but in a way that better supervises and regulates the market to make it healthier and better in the long run.”
Vapers are still in time to submit their comments
However, not everyone is that optimistic. John Dunne, Director general of the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) believes the industry will be affected negatively. “I think in its current form the legislation will have a massive influence on the industry both domestically and internationally, but not all in a good way.”
Meanwhile, the public is still in time to voice their opinion about the proposed regulations. “The period for public comments on the draft regulation will end on January 29. Authorities say they welcome all opinions in the bid to standardize the e-cigarettes industry, and protect public health and safety under the rule of law. Xu Hua, CGTN, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province.”
Read Further: The Beijinger
