The Illegal Electronic Cigarette Market in Ukraine: Extent and Risks
Recent research conducted by Kantar Ukraine reveals that the vast majority of electronic cigarettes in Ukraine are produced and sold illegally.
According to the published results, over 93% of all electronic cigarettes available in the country are unregulated and unauthorized, which poses serious health risks for consumers and undermines government efforts to control the industry.
The most problematic segment is disposable devices and refillable cartridge cigarettes, where the level of illegal products approaches 100%.
Tetyana Sverdlik, a market analyst at Kantar Ukraine, explains that illegal products are identified through multiple indicators; the primary being deviations in taste from traditional tobacco flavor and incorrect labeling of cartridge volume, number of puffs, or type of e-liquid in more than a quarter of cases.
Additionally, more than 20% of the products lack nicotine level information on their packaging or containers, further evidencing their illegality.
Only about half of the products carry proper excise stamps, which are mandatory for lawful trade.
The electronic cigarette market in Ukraine is divided as follows: 28% disposable e-cigarettes, 15% refillable cartridge devices, 18% vaporizer pens with built-in tanks, and 39% devices with interchangeable reusable cartridges.
The survey was conducted in July-August 2025 among 400 adult Ukrainian consumers aged 19 and over, who use both disposable and reusable e-cigarettes.
Previously, journalist Yevhen Plinsky reported potential links of Member of Parliament Anatoliy Kostyukh and his assistant to the largest illegal manufacturing and distribution network of electronic cigarettes in Ukraine, currently under investigation by the Bureau of Economic Security.
Since July 11, 2024, the sale of flavored cigarettes and e-cigarettes has been prohibited across Ukraine, and all tobacco products must include extensive health warnings to inform consumers of potential health hazards.