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‘Vape valley’: Double standards in China’s powering of world’s e-cigarette boom
Despite strict rules against flavoured vapes, the grey market is thriving domestically.
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Vape shells waiting to be spray-painted and inspected by a row of workers in a small workshop in Shenzhen.
ST PHOTO: MICHELLE NG
SHENZHEN – On a humid autumn afternoon, Mr Jimmy Yan was pacing the floor of a small workshop, weaving between stacks of brightly coloured vape shells and a row of workers hunched over an inspection line.
The 34-year-old factory manager was paying extra attention that day, as an American vape distributor had placed its first order for 21,000 units ahead of the Christmas peak period.
