Illegal vapes in Ukraine: the shadow market costs the budget over 5 billion hryvnias

If the authorities are not addressing the issue of electronic cigarettes in the context of a childhood epidemic, then let’s approach this topic from another angle - the economic one. Brace yourselves:

97% - illegal
1.8% - legal
1.2% - impossible to determine

And this is yet another damning Kantar statistic, which is confirmed by tax data.

In 2025, NOT A SINGLE excise stamp was purchased for electronic cigarettes. Can you imagine?

The entire market is completely in the shadows: underpayments to the budget exceed 5 billion hryvnias, and literally every week new kiosks, stands, and stores pop up on every corner.

I’m not even mentioning the chemical composition of these devices. No one is controlling it, and traders are importing everything from China, as long as it’s cheaper. You can model the diseases these children will face in 10–20 years yourselves.

And here the question arises again - to our customs service.

You do realize that all of this is being transported in the same Lviv and Zakarpattia vans that you stubbornly “don’t want” to notice?

I believe we need a large-scale information campaign on this topic, along with simultaneous raids by the BES, National Police, and Tax Service.

And customs must fundamentally refuse to let this product through, even in vans.

You know I’m aware of how you place blocks on certain categories, even in smuggling.

Bloggers, pick up this topic. Write about it, make videos.

We need real publicity.