Authorities seize 438 vapes, shut down shop in Erbil’s Soran

ERBIL — Inspection teams in the Soran Autonomous Administration seized 438 electronic cigarettes from a store in the city’s market and shut down the shop for selling banned products, an official told 964media.

Wafa Saidkhan, head of Soran’s Trade Monitoring Committee, said the raid was part of an ongoing campaign to curb illegal e-cigarette sales.

“During a routine inspection, our teams confiscated 438 vapes from a store where their sale is prohibited,” he said. “The e-cigarettes were removed, and the shop was closed.”

Under trade regulations in Soran, selling electronic cigarettes is strictly banned, and businesses violating this rule face legal consequences, including fines and closures.

Saidkhan urged the public to avoid using vapes and to report shops violating the ban.

“If anyone sees these products being sold anywhere, they should contact our committee so we can take legal measures,” he said.

The Kurdistan Regional Government enacted a comprehensive ban on importing and selling electronic cigarettes in January 2024, citing “health risks”. The use of regular tobacco is endemic and has faced no similar crackdown.

On Aug. 20, 2024, Erbil authorities destroyed over 26,000 e-cigarettes confiscated as part of intensified enforcement efforts.

Following the crackdown, many vape vendors have shifted to informal methods, arranging sales through private phone calls and delivering products directly to customers via taxis and couriers.