Can E-cigarettes Be Sold in Japan?

Do iqos e-cigarette cartridges contain nicotine?

The reason why Iqos e-cigarettes are very popular in Japan is the cooperation between Japan Tobacco Company and Marlboro. This is because Japanese domestic laws stipulate that the e-cigarette industry does not allow the sale of e-cigarettes containing nicotine (called nicotine in Japan, Taiwan and other places). Baked e-cigarettes were first popular in the United States. After the Marlboro Company developed the all-in-one portable e-cigarette technology, the response from the American market was generally mediocre. Americans prefer hand-rolled shredded tobacco and self-added shredded tobacco. Non-customized special cigarettes are not very popular. Therefore, IQOS was jointly developed by Japan Tobacco Company and Marlboro Company. It was initially sold specifically for the Japanese domestic market. This is also the reason why IQOS has a particularly strong menthol taste (Japanese people prefer menthol cigarettes). In terms of use, IQOS It is very convenient to hold a cigarette-like stick and smoke directly.

 

Japan: Smoking banned in public places

In Japan, smoking is not allowed in public places such as stations, streets, shopping malls, government buildings, office buildings, universities, and hospitals. There are specially designated smoking areas. Smokers are only allowed to smoke in the smoking areas. Otherwise, you will be fined according to regulations. Some catering businesses also need to pay attention to where the non-smoking areas and smoking areas are, otherwise they will run into trouble! Of course, except for izakayas where smoking is allowed, some restaurants are completely non-smoking, so if tourists in Japan need to smoke, they have to ask the waiter, but don’t do anything bad for a quick moment.

Can e-cigarettes be sold in Japan?

Japan is partially licensed for the sale of e-cigarettes, but e-cigarettes containing nicotine are banned because they are classified as unlicensed medical products. At the same time, Japan is the world’s largest HNB product sales market.

Compared with other regions, the Japanese government has a relatively more tolerant attitude toward HNB tobacco. Japan is one of the few countries in the world that allows HNB tobacco to be sold nationwide. The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has stated that heat-not-burn tobacco is healthier than traditional tobacco. As for alternative cigarette products, the Health Promotion Law passed in July 2018 also excludes HNB tobacco from the scope of banning smoking in public places.

However, it is recommended that you follow the general smoking rules when using e-cigarettes, such as going to smoking areas and not smoking while walking on the road.

Japanese e-cigarette compliance requirements

Japan prohibits the sale of e-cigarettes containing nicotine. E-cigarettes contain batteries and therefore need to meet the following requirements.

1. PSE circular certification, e-cigarettes containing lithium batteries

2. METI filing. E-cigarettes containing lithium batteries exported to Japan need to register the importer, which is METI filing.

3. Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde content in smoke

4. Nicotine content and diacetyl content in e-liquid