An astonishing 94% of all electronic cigarettes sold in Ukraine are part of an illegal "shadow" market, according to Nataliya Fesiun, CEO of the 'Ukrtyun' Association. She emphasized that implementing bans without effective control and enforcement is counterproductive, serving only to fuel the growth of this illicit trade.
"The only thing the state should do is to seriously tackle the problem," Fesiun stated, urging the government to take decisive action.
The situation is reportedly exacerbated by rising excise taxes on traditional tobacco products, which increases consumer demand for alternatives like e-cigarettes. However, this also incentivizes illegal manufacturers to evade taxes and violate legislation, causing the legal market to shrink. Fesiun noted the complexity of the problem, with illegal sales points reportedly being opened by various actors, including smugglers and even some local deputies, undermining legitimate businesses.
Instead of ineffective prohibitions, the 'Ukrtyun' Association is calling on the Ukrainian government to implement effective measures to curb the illegal sector. The goal is to preserve a legal, regulated market for electronic cigarettes, ensuring product safety and proper taxation, rather than allowing legislative changes to inadvertently destroy it.
