Polish Health Minister Izabela Leszczyna has announced plans to ban the sale of all e-cigarettes to minors under 18. This legislative push, currently undergoing public consultation, aims to protect youth by subjecting nicotine-free liquids to the same strict regulations as nicotine-containing products.
Under current Polish law, nicotine-free e-liquids escape the strict definitions of the national tobacco act. Minister Leszczyna warned that these products, often marketed with appealing fruit flavors like watermelon or wild strawberry, serve as a dangerous gateway to lifelong addiction for children and teenagers.
To combat this growing issue, the proposed amendment introduces a comprehensive suite of restrictions on nicotine-free products:
- Age Restriction: A total ban on sales to anyone under the age of 18.
- Distribution Bans: No sales allowed via the internet (distance selling) or through vending machines.
- Marketing Ban: A complete prohibition on advertising, promotion, and sponsorship.
- Public Restrictions: Usage will be banned in designated public spaces where traditional smoking is prohibited.
Additionally, manufacturers will be required to report these products to the Bureau for Chemical Substances, ensure ingredients exclude harmful substances (such as CMR properties), and implement proper health warning labels on packaging.
The Ministry of Health emphasized that the behavioral risk posed by nicotine-free vapes is comparable to nicotine products, as they normalize smoking habits among youth. The legislation is slated to take effect three months after its official publication.
