Chinese vape makers monopolize German market but face regulatory wrath

EU plan to ban disposables set to hit sales of manufacturers already hounded out of China

Some vape manufacturers target women with colorful vapes, some of which are made to look like lipsticks. (Photo by Jens Kastner)

FRANKFURT, Germany -- Minutes after an e-cigarette trade show opened this month, eagle-eyed German customs officers swarmed the booths of Chinese exhibitors to check for irregularities, like vapes that have tanks bigger than the 2-milliliter limit, packaging with cartoon images or products missing tax stamps.