The Bulgarian Commission for Consumer Protection (КЗП) has ordered the immediate withdrawal of dangerous, toy-shaped electronic cigarettes from the market. This decisive regulatory action follows an investigative report by Bulgarian National Television (BNT) exposing how these colorful, child-appealing devices are sold freely in Sofia and online.
The primary target of the ban is the “TIGER POD” vape, which is styled as a toy tiger and comes in kid-friendly fruit flavors like peach-lemon and ice melon. Despite packaging labels claiming the product is not for minors, the devices are designed to attract young children, featuring rechargeable batteries and neck lanyards. Investigations revealed that these devices completely lack Bulgarian-language ingredient lists, leaving consumers entirely unaware of their chemical makeup.
Health professionals have raised urgent alarms over the trend. Dr. Sofia Angelova, a prominent pulmonologist, warned that “harmless vapes do not exist,” noting that these devices release acrolein, which damages the respiratory system, and formaldehyde, which toxins the nervous system. Additionally, pediatric studies show that 3% of children aged 6 to 9 in Bulgaria have already experimented with vaping, driven by aggressive marketing tactics that package nicotine habits as harmless play.
In response, the КЗП is coordinating with the Ministry of Health, police, and customs officials to enforce a total ban. A formal notification is also being submitted to the EU’s SAFETY GATE RAPEX system to prevent these hazardous products from circulating across European borders.
