The Netherlands’ ban on flavored e-cigarettes has driven a significant decline in vaping, with over 20% of users quitting entirely, according to a preliminary evaluation by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). The study, which surveyed nearly 1,000 adolescents and adults, highlights the immediate impact of the policy introduced last year.
Beyond those who quit, 40% of respondents reported reducing their e-cigarette use. The frequency of vaping across all surveyed age groups dropped sharply:
- Daily use: Decreased from 29% to 18%
- Weekly use: Dropped from 30% to 14%
- Monthly use: Fell from 42% to 16%
Importantly, the RIVM found that most consumers who stopped vaping did not switch to more harmful tobacco products or seek illicit flavors. However, among the minority who did access the illegal market, physical retail stores in neighboring Germany were identified as the primary source. To close this loophole, public health officials are now urging for an EU-wide ban on flavored vapes.
