Juul enters China

Juul Labs has entered China, the world’s largest cigarette market, with online storefronts on e-commerce sites owned by Alibaba Group and JD.com, reports Reuters.

The move comes as U.S. health officials are investigating a handful of deaths and hospitalizations tied to vaping in Juul’s home market.

Previously, the company launched its products in South Korea, Indonesia and the Philippines. It recently raised more than $750 million in an expanded funding round.

While China’s 300 million smokers presents an opportunity for Juul, the company will also face stiff competition.

Local firms, such as Relx, Yooz, and SNOW+ are selling Juul-like devices that discretely vaporize potent nicotine salts and have received millions of dollars in venture capital funding.

Earlier this year the Chinese government released a draft document suggesting that its e-cigarettes regulations will eventually largely resemble those in Europe.