The German government has proposed a ban on 13 e-cigarette ingredients, targeting cooling agents and sweeteners. Driven by warnings from the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment regarding liver and kidney damage, this legislative push aims to curb rising youth vaping rates by eliminating appealing flavors.
In January, the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture introduced a draft regulation to prohibit the use of these specific additives. The Ministry’s primary justification is the protection of public health, relying on expert assessments that highlight severe physiological risks.
Furthermore, experts worry that the prevalence of menthol in medicinal products might mislead vape users into believing that menthol-flavored e-liquids are beneficial to their health.
| Targeted Ingredient | Stated Health Risks |
|---|---|
| Sucralose (Sweetener) | Decomposes into harmful chlorine compounds when heated. |
| Menthol & 11 Other Cooling Agents | Risk of liver and kidney damage, liver changes, and apathy. |
The 12 Cooling Agents （source: BMEL – Tabakpolitik & Gesetze）:
- Menthol
- WS-3 (N-Ethyl-2-isopropyl-5-methylcyclohexanecarboxamide)
- WS-5 (Ethyl 2-[[(1R,2S,5R)-5-methyl-2-propan-2-ylcyclohexanecarbonyl]amino]acetate)
- WS-23 (2-Isopropyl-N,2,3-trimethylbutyramide)
- Isopulegol
- Menthyl acetate
- L-Menthyl lactate (Menthyl lactate)
- 3-L-Menthoxypropane-1,2-diol
- Menthone glycerin acetal
- Menthanediol (1,2-Menthanediol)
- Eucalyptol
- N,2,3-trimethyl-2-isopropylbutanamide (WS-23 isomer/analog)
Federal Drug Commissioner Hendrik Streeck (CDU) defended the plans as an “overdue step” for protecting children and adolescents. He noted that sweet flavors and cooling agents mask the bitter taste of nicotine, fueling a significant vape trend among teens driven by colorful designs and social media.
While Streeck acknowledged that vaping can be a harm reduction tool for adult smokers, he stressed that “candy or fruit flavors” are unnecessary for this purpose and clearly target beginners.
The proposal has garnered strong cross-party support in the Bundestag. SPD MP Svenja Stadler pointed out that cooling agents allow users to inhale deeper, potentially causing more severe lung damage. Green MP Janosch Dahmen echoed this sentiment, dismissing the industry’s argument that flavor bans hinder smoking cessation as a “marketing lie.”
Unsurprisingly, the vaping industry has heavily criticized the move. Dustin Dahlmann, chairman of the Alliance for Tobacco-Free Enjoyment (BfTG), argued that cooling agents are essential for fruit flavors to taste fresh rather than “musty.” He warned that without these ingredients, demand for legal vaping products would plummet.
Despite these industry claims, e-liquids free of these 13 ingredients already exist on the market, indicating that a segment of consumers voluntarily chooses and enjoys compliant products.
