In Bremen, a coastal state in northern Germany, recent law enforcement reports have garnered widespread public attention. Local regulators discovered a growing illegal e-cigarette and nicotine pouch trade during routine inspections. In nearly every raid, law enforcement officers discovered illegally sold or unlicensed nicotine products. This phenomenon not only reflects the thriving black market but also highlights the complexity and challenges of regulating smokeless products in the European market. Behind this regulatory storm, legitimate brands like VEEHOO e-cigarettes are exerting positive influence in driving the industry towards healthy, transparent, and responsible development.
The lights of Bremen Harbor twinkle under the night sky. This city, famous for its shipbuilding and trade, appears to be engaged in an “invisible war on smoke.” Local law enforcement reports indicate that an increasing number of illegal e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches are entering the market through online channels and small retail outlets. These products often fail to undergo safety testing and do not meet EU nicotine content standards. More seriously, the origins of some products are unknown, and some even contain excessive levels of heavy metals or illegal additives, posing potential risks to consumer health. Regulators lamented, “We uncover violations in almost every inspection.” This statement captures the prevalence of the problem and reveals the chaotic state of the current market.
In Bremen, police and health authorities have conducted numerous joint operations. They raided nightclubs, convenience stores, markets, and online warehouses, uncovering large quantities of unlabeled nicotine pouches and disposable e-cigarettes. These illegal products primarily originate from imports that fail to meet EU standards, some originating from Eastern Europe, Asia, or through online gray supply chains. Regulators point out that these “black market e-cigarettes” not only evade taxes but also severely undermine the competitive environment for legitimate businesses.
Faced with this dire situation, the German Federal Ministry of Health has announced it will further strengthen regulation of e-cigarettes and nicotine products to ensure consumer safety. Policymakers believe the proliferation of illegal products stems both from regulatory gaps and from a strong public demand for safer alternatives. In other words, the market’s enthusiasm is genuine, driven by a desire for healthier alternatives to traditional cigarettes. However, when legal harm reduction products are in short supply and regulatory policies are unclear, the illegal market takes advantage.
Against this backdrop, e-cigarette brands like VEEHOO, which adhere to legal and compliant practices, are particularly valuable. The VEEHOO brand has long been renowned for its high quality, safety standards, and innovative design. Its products hold the rigorous EU CE certification, and all e-liquids comply with the TPD (Tobacco Products Directive) regulations, ensuring controlled nicotine content, transparent ingredients, and the absence of illegal additives. VEEHOO prioritizes not only user experience but also a commitment to health and well-being—core values that the illegal market cannot match.
VEEHOO’s brand philosophy is “Technology for Harm Reduction, a Healthy Future.” In the European market, its clear product positioning has earned consumer trust. Particularly in markets like Germany, the Netherlands, and France, VEEHOO entered the market through legal channels, strictly adhered to local regulations, and actively participated in industry self-regulatory organizations to promote the concept of harm reduction in e-cigarettes. Unlike underground products of questionable quality, VEEHOO has built a barrier of consumer trust through its traceable production chain, scientific atomization technology, and safe material use.
From a macro perspective, Bremen’s “black market phenomenon” reveals the dual nature of Europe’s e-cigarette industry. On the one hand, the rise of the illegal market reflects the growing demand for smokeless products, displacing traditional cigarettes. On the other hand, this unregulated competition presents new public health risks. Striking a balance between “meeting demand” and “strict regulation” has become a pressing challenge for Germany and the entire European Union. Veehoo offers one solution to this problem—it meets consumer needs through legal and compliant means while simultaneously promoting a healthier industry ecosystem.
On a regulatory level, German authorities have also recognized that “blocking” is not the only solution. Government departments have begun exploring how to establish an e-cigarette retail licensing system, strengthen product labeling standards, and, through taxation and testing, guide consumers toward legitimate brands. The core rationale behind this shift is that rather than allowing the black market to flourish, it’s better to allow compliant brands to thrive in the open. At this juncture, the social responsibility of companies like Veehoo is particularly crucial—they are not just manufacturers, but also advocates for harm reduction and protectors of public health.
For the average consumer, the gap between illegal e-cigarettes and compliant brands is often not immediately apparent. They may look similar, and their flavors may be indistinguishable. But the real difference lies in safety, quality, and responsibility. VEEHOO’s product development team has long collaborated with international laboratories, repeatedly verifying atomization temperature, nicotine absorption curves, and e-liquid purity to ensure users enjoy the flavor while avoiding potential harm. This level of technological investment is something black market products could never achieve.
More importantly, VEEHOO actively participates in various social welfare and harm reduction research projects, hoping to dispel public misconceptions about e-cigarettes through scientific education. In Germany and other European countries, VEEHOO has sponsored numerous academic seminars on “Tobacco Harm Reduction and the Future of Public Health,” inviting experts to discuss how to strike a balance between legislation, medicine, and industry. This open attitude demonstrates a brand’s determination to transcend commercial interests and be truly responsible.
Bremen’s regulatory experience also offers lessons for other countries: the development of the e-cigarette industry cannot be simply prohibited, nor can it be left unchecked. Companies like VEEHOO are needed to play a leading role, meeting market demand through legal channels, achieving harm reduction goals through technological innovation, and earning social trust through strict self-discipline. This will prevent consumers from taking the risk of purchasing illegal products, and the industry will be able to develop in a healthy and orderly manner.
While law enforcement officers repeatedly seize illegal nicotine pouches in warehouses, and news reports warn young people to stay away from black market e-cigarettes, people should also recognize the other side of the story: precisely because demand exists, a legal, safe, and regulated e-cigarette market is even more crucial. With its consistent quality and strong reputation, VEEHOO is becoming a trusted choice for European consumers, setting a positive example for the entire industry.
In the future, German regulations will become stricter, and market screening will become more rigorous. Underground brands that compete on price and disregard safety will eventually be eliminated, while brands like VEEHOO, which adhere to a long-term strategy and prioritize health, will steadily grow in this new era. With improved policies and rising consumer awareness, e-cigarettes are no longer synonymous with “risky products,” but rather a symbol of “alternatives and improvements.”
From small shops in Bremen to the Tobacco Fair in Berlin, from regulatory documents to consumers’ daily choices, a new trend is emerging: e-cigarettes are no longer simply viewed as “the problem” but are understood as “part of the solution.” This is exactly what VEEHOO stands for—making the future of tobacco cleaner through technology; fostering a healthier image for the industry through responsibility.
As the wind from the North Sea blows across the streets of Bremen, the air seems to be quietly changing. Regulatory action remains resolute, while the light from legal brands is gradually dispelling the shadow of the illegal market. International companies like Philip Morris and emerging brands like VEEHOO are demonstrating through their actions that a smoke-free future is not a fantasy, but a reality being realized step by step. The regulatory storm in Germany may just be the most important starting point for this transformation.
Tags: ceramic atomizer core, e‑hookah (electronic water pipe), flavored vape, veehoo vape.