"Test smoking" service and "second-hand smoke" are still regulatory gaps

　　E-cigarette online sales to play hide and seek

　　The "online ban" on electronic cigarettes has been two years.

Recently, Beijing successfully investigated and handled the first case of selling e-cigarettes to minors. This is also the "first fine" for illegal sales of e-cigarettes since the implementation of the new "Minors Protection Law".

　　The reporter's investigation found that the form and concept of offline e-cigarette sales are now renovated; online sales are "hide and seek."

　　Offline

　　"Assembly" has more to promote the concept of "harm reduction"

　　In the evening, at the East Fifth Ring Road Foreign Minister Yingtian Street Mall, multiple e-cigarette brand stores or stalls are located on different floors.

It's during the peak period of off-get off work dining, and people come forward to consult or purchase from time to time.

　　"What to smoke? We are the best choice of big names, there are many brands, you can take a look." A salesperson told the customer.

The reporter saw that there were six brands of e-cigarettes in the stall, and shouted that "all are big brands, and the prices are all discounted."

Among the commodities sold on the spot are mainly full sets of e-cigarettes of different brands, e-cigarette cartridges of different flavors, and various cigarette sticks, with prices ranging from tens to hundreds of yuan.

　　In this mall alone, there are at least three similar "collective" e-cigarette sales outlets.

The reporter found that compared with a few years ago, various e-cigarette brands set up independent stores or franchise stores. Nowadays, it seems that "one-stop" and "collective" stores with multiple brands are more popular.

According to industry insiders, compared with franchised stores, such e-cigarette stores have more room for customers to choose from and more profitable points.

　　In addition to the increase in "one-stop collection" cigarette shops, vending machines for electronic cigarettes have also appeared, and even opened directly into the game hall.

In a game hall of Heshenghui Mall, a vending machine for a certain brand of electronic cigarettes is placed at the front desk, and you need to scan a QR code to verify your identity.

And beside the vending machine, from time to time, parents walked by with their children.

"Still a little worried, the child will be curious what this is." A parent said.

　　Behind the changes from franchise stores to "one-stop" "collection stations" and automatic vending cabinets is the growth of the e-cigarette market and consumption.

According to data, the market size of my country's e-cigarette industry was 6.21 billion yuan in 2018, 7.86 billion yuan in 2019, and this figure climbed to 8.38 billion yuan in 2020, and it is expected to reach 10.06 billion yuan in 2021.

　　As the market scale and consumption increase, some concepts in the e-cigarette industry are also changing.

A few years ago, when some e-cigarette brands came out, they used gimmicks such as "fashion", "health", and "quit smoking".

The reporter visited and found that today's electronic cigarettes seem to place more emphasis on product functions and user experience.

Concepts such as "harm reduction", "relief of addiction", "refreshing", and "herbal peace of mind" have emerged one after another.

　　"A whole new generation of harm reduction electronic atomizers", a certain brand of electronic cigarettes advertised on the booth, and highlighted that "real change, it should be so." In the Hopson Mall, an electronic cigarette advertising slogan reflected What you see is the huge "herbal atomized liquid, feel more at ease when you smoke", and use the icon to emphasize the "throat smoothness" of the brand's e-cigarette.

　　"Regardless of the concept or gimmick of e-cigarettes, we believe that it is inherently harmful, and some standards may not be smaller than traditional cigarettes." Zhang Jianshu, president of the Beijing Tobacco Control Association, said, although the tar of many e-cigarettes does have a value of "0", but most of them contain nicotine.

In addition, in the sampling and testing of relevant departments and agencies, it was also found that e-cigarettes contained propylene glycol, glycerol, some special aroma additives, and even heavy metal components.

"Traditional additives are filtered through the human digestive system, which is relatively less harmful. However, e-cigarettes are directly inhaled into the lungs and are more harmful."

　　on-line

　　"Quit Smoking Network" sells cigarettes to buy hide-and-seek

　　The harm of e-cigarettes and its impact on minors have long attracted the attention of relevant departments.

On October 30, 2019, the "Notice on Further Protecting Minors from E-cigarettes" was officially released, and the "Online Prohibition Order" of e-cigarettes was implemented.

The reporter found that two years have passed and it has been difficult for mainstream e-commerce platforms to find e-cigarettes for sale, but e-cigarettes sold online still exist invisibly, and purchase transactions need to be redirected on different platforms, such as "hide and seek."

　　On a second-hand goods platform, input the keyword "e-cigarette", and the e-cigarette warning page of the "Green Net Project" pops up first.

However, in the "Recommend Products You May Like" at the bottom of the page, there are some sellers of "Electronic Cigarette Cases of Various Brands" from time to time.

The reporter randomly left a message to a merchant selling "e-cigarette protective sleeves", and the merchant automatically replied "Look at the inventory WeChat account ××××. After adding the merchant's WeChat account, you can see that its Moments of Moments pictures and texts are selling multiple brands E-cigarettes. And the signature content of Moments is, "Mainly selling small cigarettes of various brands.

Only make genuine products and recruit agents.

"

　　The reporter contacted the seller and asked if there are any e-cigarettes on sale.

"I am mainly the 1st and 5th generations of a certain moment. For the 5th generation, a single pole is 150 yuan, and a box of 3 cartridges is 69 yuan." The seller said that the e-cigarettes he sold are all brand new and authentic. Need to pay 6 yuan for postage separately, 3 boxes of free shipping.

You can buy it after you choose, "WeChat or Alipay can be used for payment."

　　In addition to "jumping" purchases between platforms, some Internet platforms are even selling dog meat.

A website called "Quit Smoking Network" contains columns for e-cigarettes, cigarette brands, and shopping reviews.

And click on the e-cigarette column, the page will jump to multiple web pages, and click on the information at the top of the page at will. The advertisement of "first-hand manufacturers supply e-cigarettes, RELAX, Luluo...all kinds of brands at affordable prices" appears in front of you .

Not only that, the advertisement also stated that "adding WeChat also has a chance to get a free experience", and left a mobile phone number and WeChat account.

　　Another website called "Wanyan.com" claimed to be founded in 2016, with a vision of "promoting and popularizing e-cigarettes", and the content at the top of the website is even more straightforward-a strong seller for three years and a guarantee of authenticity.

WeChat account ××××.

　　After the reporter added the account according to the information reserved on the "Quit Smoking Network", the seller named "XX Steam" on WeChat quickly asked "What do I need?" Cigarette, "fake one pay ten, physical store delivery".

In its circle of friends, there are also various brands and models of electronic cigarettes.

In just one day on November 3, the seller posted a total of more than 30 advertisements for different e-cigarette inventories in Moments.

"I supply physical stores. I can recommend whatever type and price you want."

　　embarrassment

　　Second-hand smoke enforcement in commercial districts is still difficult

　　"Look, what kind of flavor you like, you can try smoking." During the interview, the reporter found that in order to attract customers, many e-cigarette sellers would launch a "test smoking" service.

Once someone wants to try, the shopkeeper will take out a brand new disposable rubber cigarette holder and put it on the electronic cigarette, and then the customer will take off the mask, take a deep breath, and taste...

　　In this regard, some citizens expressed concern.

"It is now during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is not only unsafe to take off the mask to'try inhalation', but it also does not meet the shopping mall's epidemic prevention regulations." said Ms. Luo, who is shopping.

Originally, many e-cigarette stores were opened inside shopping malls and belonged to indoor public places. Under such circumstances, it might not be appropriate to promote "trial smoking" e-cigarettes.

　　The greater embarrassment is the problem of "second-hand smoke" that accompanies e-cigarettes.

During interviews in and around many shopping malls, reporters found that individual citizens smoked e-cigarettes in large public areas regardless of occasion.

On the B1 floor of Heshenghui Shopping Mall, a couple laughed as they walked. The boys picked up the electronic cigarettes hanging on their chests from time to time, and then a cloud of white smoke floated from their mouths.

Similar situations also occurred in Chaoyang Joy City and Changyingtian Street shopping malls.

"Although e-cigarettes smell better, they are also harmful, right? Following their ass, they have also become victims of'second-hand smoke' invisibly." Ms. Luo said.

　　The reporter's interview found that whether it is e-cigarette merchants providing "trial smoking" services or e-cigarette "second-hand smoke" issues, they are currently facing embarrassment in law enforcement and investigation.

Some store staff said that they do not have the power to enforce the law, and what they can usually do is broadcast prompts and try to dissuade them.

In the eyes of professionals, whether it is “trial smoking” or “second-hand smoke” for e-cigarettes, it often happens in an instant, and it is more difficult to obtain evidence and fix evidence.

　　The dedicated staff of the Tobacco Control Association are also trapped here.

"Sometimes we have to investigate and deal with it. People will say that you have brought out laws and documents. Where is it written that you are not allowed to smoke e-cigarettes?" Appears very passive.

"At present, we are lagging behind the higher level law in controlling e-cigarette smoking in public places. It is recommended that e-cigarette related issues be included in the "Beijing Smoking Control Regulations" as soon as possible. This way we can have laws to follow and protect the citizens. Especially the rights of minors."

　　Zhang Jianshu suggested that there should be more detailed and clear restrictions on the production, sales and advertising of electronic cigarettes in the future.

"First, no matter online or offline, sales to minors are not allowed, otherwise heavy fines will be imposed; second, e-cigarettes are not allowed to be smoked in public places to prevent everyone from suffering from the harm of'second-hand smoke'; third, by quality Relevant inspection departments are responsible for management, promote the standardized production of e-cigarette quality, and clearly limit the ingredients and content." Li Songlin, reporter of our newspaper