Italy’s AGCM competition watchdog has fined British American Tobacco (BAT) EUR 6 million for failing to provide sufficient information about the nicotine content of its Glo Hyper products, reports Reuters.

A statement from AGCM says that BAT did not inform its consumers about the nicotine content and corresponding health risks from using the Glo Hyper X2 and Glo Hyper Air products leading to a fine of EUR 6 million. Online retailer Amazon was also fined EUR 1 million for selling the products in question without the correct warning, reports Reuters.
According to advertising, the products are presented as “simple electronic devices” and “design objects” the regulator said, claiming that this was “seriously misleading conduct that leads consumers to purchase a product that poses health risks and is prohibited for minors.”
Both BAT’s Italian business and Amazon plan to appeal the ruling with an Amazon spokesperson saying: “The description of our products includes references to age restrictions and health-related risks. We have worked closely with the AGCM throughout this case and we’ve made this information even clearer for customers to address the authority’s concerns.”
BAT issued a statement saying: “We have always provided adequate information that our products are only intended for adult smokers and that we adopt the highest standards of conduct to prevent underage use of any nicotine product. We have cooperated with the Italian authorities and promptly adopted all required changes to our marketing practices.”