New tobacco products like e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouches have completely shaken up the tobacco world. These alternatives offer fresh, modern ways to enjoy nicotine, and their popularity has skyrocketed. But with this success comes a big problem: counterfeits. Fake products are flooding the market, creating headaches for businesses and posing real risks for consumers.
Vietnam’s Role in the Counterfeit Scene
Take Vietnam’s Bac Ninh province, for example. This industrial hub has become a hotspot for counterfeit e-cigarette production. With cheap labor and proximity to China, it’s an appealing spot for counterfeiters who are feeling the heat from stricter crackdowns in China.
However, Vietnam’s 2025 ban on e-cigarettes and vape liquids has thrown the counterfeit market into chaos. The ban, which outlaws the sale, use, and even possession of these products, has left counterfeit operations scrambling to find a new home.
How Counterfeits Are Creeping Into the Market
Counterfeiting is sneaky. For heated tobacco products like HEETS and Terea, the advanced technology has kept fakes at bay—until now. Recent reports suggest that some manufacturers are trying to replicate these premium brands, hoping to cash in on their popularity.
Nicotine pouches are another story. In regions like the Middle East, fake Velo and ZYN pouches are everywhere. These counterfeits are so convincing they’ve fooled even seasoned users. Imagine buying what you think is a trusted product, only to realize it’s a fake.
The Damage Counterfeits Cause
Counterfeiting isn’t just a nuisance—it’s a major threat. For companies, it means wasted investment, damaged reputations, and endless battles to stop the fakes. For consumers, it’s even worse. Poor-quality counterfeit products can be harmful to health, and no one wants to spend their money on something that’s unsafe and substandard.
Where Do We Go From Here?
The counterfeit crisis is like a storm cloud hanging over the new tobacco industry. It’s clear that tackling this issue will require teamwork. Governments need to crack down harder, companies must work together to fight fakes, and consumers should be aware of how to spot counterfeits and buy from trusted sources.
