The global vape industry continues to evolve rapidly, with significant developments in regulations, market performance, and enforcement actions. This week’s news roundup covers key updates from China, the United States, Southeast Asia, and beyond, focusing on the latest trends in the vape, vapor, and e-cigarette markets. From export data and corporate earnings to regulatory crackdowns and youth prevention efforts, here’s everything you need to know about the fruit-flavored vape industry and its global impact.

1. China’s E-Cigarette Exports Decline in Early 2025

On March 20, the General Administration of Customs of China released the latest data on the country’s e-cigarette exports. The figures revealed that China’s e-cigarette export value for January and February 2025 totaled approximately 1.5billion,markinga9.41.5billion,markinga9.41.656 billion.

• January 2025: Export value stood at $1.002 billion, a slight year-on-year decrease of 1.47%.
• February 2025: Export value dropped significantly to $498 million, down 22.07% compared to February 2024.

The top ten destination countries for China’s e-cigarette exports during this period were the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Canada, Russia, and Japan. This decline in exports highlights the challenges faced by the global vape industry, including stricter regulations and shifting consumer preferences.

2. Smoore International Reports 2024 Financial Results

Smoore International, a leading player in the vaping technology sector, announced its 2024 financial results on March 17. The company reported annual revenue of RMB 11.799 billion (1.64billion),a5.31.64billion),a5.3181 million).

• Own-Brand Business: Revenue from Smoore’s own-brand products grew by 34% to RMB 2.475 billion ($344 million), accounting for 21% of total revenue, up from 16.5% in 2023.
• Business-to-Business (B2B) Segment: Revenue from enterprise clients decreased slightly by 0.3% to RMB 9.324 billion ($1.29 billion), representing 79% of total revenue.

Regionally, Smoore’s own-brand sales in Europe and other markets surged by 37.2% to RMB 2.024 billion (281million),whiletheU.S.marketsawa14281million),whiletheU.S.marketsawa1459 million). In mainland China, revenue was primarily driven by sales of vaping beauty products, totaling RMB 27 million ($3.75 million).

3. RLX Technology Posts Strong 2024 Earnings

RLX Technology, the parent company of the popular RELX e-cigarette brand, released its unaudited financial results for 2024 on March 14. The company reported a robust performance, with full-year net revenue reaching RMB 2.75 billion ($382 million), a 73.3% increase compared to 2023.

• Q4 2024: Net revenue rose to RMB 810 million ($112 million), up 7.6% quarter-on-quarter and 56.3% year-on-year.
• Adjusted Net Profit: For the full year, RLX achieved an adjusted net profit of RMB 930 million ($129 million), reflecting strong operational efficiency and market demand.

RLX’s growth is attributed to its strategic focus on product innovation and compliance with evolving regulations, particularly in markets like China and Southeast Asia.

4. Crackdown on Counterfeit Vape Products in Sichuan, China

Authorities in Suining City, Sichuan Province, recently dismantled a counterfeit e-cigarette production network. The operation, which spanned Guangxi and Jiangsu provinces, resulted in the arrest of 12 suspects and the seizure of over 17,000 boxes of counterfeit vape products. The total value of the confiscated goods exceeded RMB 10 million ($1.39 million).

This crackdown underscores the Chinese government’s commitment to combating illegal vaping products, which pose significant health risks and undermine legitimate businesses in the vape and e-cigarette industry.

5. Philippines Seizes Over 112,000 Unregistered Vape Products

On March 20, the Philippine Bureau of Customs (BOC) intercepted 112,750 unregistered e-cigarette products at the Port of Manila. The shipment, originating from China, was valued at over PHP 95.7 million ($1.7 million). Alexander Gerard Alvia, the district collector of the Port of Manila, issued a warrant for the seizure of the goods.

This incident highlights the growing scrutiny of vaping products in Southeast Asia, where governments are increasingly enforcing strict import and registration requirements to protect public health.

6. Thailand Intensifies Crackdown on E-Cigarettes

The Thai government has ramped up efforts to curb the use of e-cigarettes, particularly among teenagers and university students. Between February 26 and March 12, 2024, authorities investigated 1,078 cases related to illegal vaping activities, arresting 1,104 individuals and confiscating 900,444 prohibited items worth over THB 118 million ($3.3 million).

Deputy Government Spokesperson Karom Phonphonklang emphasized Prime Minister Phaetongtarn Shinawatra’s concerns about the rising prevalence of vaping among youth. The government has pledged to strengthen enforcement and public awareness campaigns to address the issue.

7. FDA’s Youth Vaping Prevention Campaign Shows Promising Results

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on March 14 that its youth e-cigarette prevention campaign, launched in 2018, has successfully reduced vaping among teenagers. Between 2023 and 2024, the initiative prevented an estimated 444,252 young Americans from using e-cigarettes.

According to the National Youth Tobacco Survey, the number of middle and high school students using e-cigarettes dropped from 5.38 million in 2019 to 1.63 million in 2024, a nearly 70% decline. This marks the lowest level of youth vaping in a decade, signaling the effectiveness of regulatory measures and public health interventions.

Key Takeaways and Industry Insights

1. Export Challenges: China’s declining e-cigarette exports reflect the impact of global regulatory changes and market saturation. Companies must adapt by diversifying their product offerings and exploring emerging markets.
2. Corporate Performance: Despite regulatory headwinds, leading companies like Smoore and RLX Technology continue to demonstrate resilience and growth, driven by innovation and strategic market positioning.
3. Regulatory Enforcement: Governments worldwide are intensifying efforts to combat illegal and counterfeit vaping products, emphasizing the need for compliance and quality assurance in the industry.
4. Youth Prevention: The FDA’s success in reducing youth vaping underscores the importance of targeted prevention campaigns and stricter regulations to protect public health.
5. Regional Trends: Southeast Asia remains a focal point for regulatory action, with countries like Thailand and the Philippines taking aggressive measures to control the distribution and use of e-cigarettes.

The Future of the Vape Industry

As the global vape, vapor, and e-cigarette industry navigates a complex regulatory landscape, stakeholders must prioritize compliance, innovation, and consumer safety. The rise of fruit-flavored vape products continues to drive demand, particularly among adult users, but manufacturers must remain vigilant in addressing concerns about youth access and product quality.

By staying informed about the latest developments and trends, businesses can position themselves for long-term success in this dynamic and rapidly evolving market. Whether you’re a manufacturer, retailer, or consumer, understanding the global vape industry’s challenges and opportunities is essential for making informed decisions.

Stay tuned for next week’s update on the latest news and trends shaping the vape, vapor, and e-cigarette industry!