Carrefour in Spain launches disposable e-cigarette sales:
All details of price and taste 1
Sales at Carrefour in Spain rose 9.5%, but profit fell 24% to 289.8m
Dr Fernandez Bueno: “Electronic devices are less harmful than smoking, but the health sector doesn’t even want to discuss it”
Carrefour has jumped on the e-cigarette craze and started selling the product in some of its brick-and-mortar stores in Spain. In this way, the French chain became the first company in the sector to enter the market. Carrefour sells the e-cigarettes under the brand Cool Vaps for 9.95 euros.
Because they are nicotine e-cigarettes, they are prohibited from being sold to people under the age of 18. Carrefour sells flavors such as mango, banana, apple, forest fruit, menthol, watermelon, jelly bean, papaya and passion fruit in its stores, but still not through its website.
Carrefour’s Cool Vaps disposable e-cigarette contains 2 ml of flavored e-liquid. In addition, the devices contain 2% nicotine. The device uses a battery capacity of 550 milliamps per hour (mAh), which can be used for a long time. These e-cigarettes can be smoked up to about 600 puffs, equivalent to about 40 traditional cigarettes.
Where can I buy one?
In October last year, the National Market and Competition Commission (CNMC) questioned whether tobacco-merchants’ monopoly on tobacco sales extended to e-cigarettes and vaping products, which they argued “must have their own regulation and be adjusted according to their characteristics.”
The body, chaired by Cani Fernandez, carried out a series of considerations on the draft law on the market of tobacco and other related products, which aims to extend the monopoly of tobacconists to the sale of e-cigarettes and e-cigarettes. In its report, the CNMC warned that the current regulatory model of the Spanish tobacco market still has important restrictions on competition, such as the state maintaining a monopoly on the retail distribution of tobacco.
The CNMC believes that it is unreasonable to apply tobacco product regulation to e-cigarette users. He believes that they should make their own regulations according to their own characteristics. As a result, the sale of these e-cigarettes is not currently regulated or controlled. In fact, a few months ago, some pharmacies in Spain also started selling disposable e-cigarettes in stores and online. This fashion has also been added, such as vending machines and now supermarkets.
Exhibition time: June 1 – June 2, 2024
Venue: Madrid International Convention and Exhibition Center
China exclusive agent: Beijing Inrun International Exhibition Co., LTD
The Spanish e-cigarette Exhibition is the largest and most important e-cigarette exhibition in Spain. Since its first exhibition in Bordeaux in March 2014, it has confirmed its leading position in the organization of international trade fairs and focused on e-cigarettes and its participants. The previous e-cigarette show in Spain was held in the Crystal Pavilion of CASA DE CAMPO, with a total of 121 exhibitors.
With the rise of China’s cross-border e-commerce, Chinese e-cigarette brands have also increased their size in Spain, including ELFBAR, RELX, VOOPOO, SMISS, Geekvape, Innokin, SMOK, MOTI and other more than 50 well-known Chinese e-cigarette brands.
Spain is one of the European countries with the highest number of smokers. According to the latest Eurobarometer survey of European attitudes towards tobacco and e-cigarettes, the smoking rate among adults in Spain in 2021 was 24%, which is slightly lower than the EU average of 25% at the time and slightly higher than countries such as Germany, Italy, Portugal and the United Kingdom.
Flavor trends in Spain
Unsurprisingly, fruit flavors are the most popular among e-cigarette lovers in Spain. They taste sweet and fresh, perfect for beating the summer heat and enjoying a delicious meal in the sun. Watermelon, strawberry, and peach are the most popular flavors, and combinations of them, such as mint, lemon, or ice, create original and stunning flavor blends.
Another popular e-cigarette flavor is dessert such as cake, cookies or ice cream. Spanish e-cigarette lovers prefer sweet and creamy flavors that remind them of their favorite desserts. That’s not surprising, because who doesn’t love a nostalgic taste of dessert? Oddly enough, dessert flavors are less attractive in the UK! There is less preference for menthol and tobacco flavors, as many e-cigarette enthusiasts seek to break away from the taste of traditional tobacco and try new flavors. However, some consumers prefer these flavors because of their intensity and refreshing or relaxing effect.
The nicotine type is the clear winner
As for the type of nicotine contained in popular Spanish e-liquids, nicotine salts are superior to free base nicotine. This is because nicotine salts have a higher bioavailability, that is, they are absorbed faster and better by the body. These produce a feeling closer to that of traditional cigarettes. In addition, nicotine salts can be used in higher concentrations without irritating the throat, making them ideal for smokers who want to quit or reduce their consumption. Another reason nicotine salts are so popular is that they are compatible with reusable cartridges, which are small and simple devices that work with pre-loaded or refilled e-liquid cartridges. These devices are very convenient and practical because they don’t require a lot of maintenance.
The clear winner of the most popular type of e-cigarette
Disposable e-cigarettes are currently the most popular product in the Spanish e-cigarette market. Even experienced e-cigarette users with advanced equipment often choose to use disposable e-cigarettes because they are easy to use and portable. Disposable items can be carried around and used at any time without worrying about batteries or liquids. They are the perfect backup or replacement device when out and about.
Looking forward to seeing you in Madrid, Spain in 24 years!
Spain e-cigarette tax:
1. Value-added Tax (VAT) : According to the provisions of the Spanish value-added Tax law, e-cigarette products are subject to the standard value-added tax rate. The current standard VAT rate is 21%, but reduced VAT rates may apply for certain categories of e-cigarette products, such as e-cigarettes for medical use.
(2) Special Tax on Certain Means of Consumption: Spain applies a special tax on certain consumer goods, including traditional tobacco products and alcoholic beverages. It is not clear if a similar special excise tax applies to e-cigarette products.