According to Portal Samorzadowy on July 25, Polish Health Minister Izabela Leszczyna stated on Polsat News that she aims to ban the sale of all e-cigarette products to individuals under 18 starting January 1, 2025.
“Nicotine-containing e-cigarettes are already banned, but in reality, there is no difference among these e-cigarettes; they all masquerade as flavors like watermelon or strawberry.”
“This is why we are saying: no sales on the internet, no sales in any vending machines, no advertising. We are not selling products to people under 18… so our children and teenagers do not fall into this terrible addiction.”
A draft amendment to the “Act on the Protection of Health Against the Consequences of Tobacco and Tobacco Product Use” is currently open for public consultation. The drafters emphasize that the revision of the Tobacco Act, dated November 9, 1995, is necessary due to the urgent need to reduce the use of e-cigarettes among young people.
Currently, e-cigarettes and refill containers that contain nicotine-free e-liquid do not fall under the Tobacco Act’s definitions. The draft amendment aims to include so-called nicotine-free e-liquids within the legal framework.
This will lead to a ban on selling these products to individuals under 18, restrict the places where these products can be used, prohibit sales through vending machines and remote sales (including online), and ban advertising and promotions. Additionally, the draft amendment requires reporting information about these products to the Chief of the Chemicals Management Office, ensuring that their ingredients comply with legal regulations (such as prohibitions on CMR substances), and that their packaging is appropriately labeled.
The project statement notes that the threat posed by “nicotine-free e-liquids” is no less than that of nicotine-containing products. “The popularity of nicotine-free products increases the risk of young people being exposed to tobacco products, similar to nicotine-containing e-cigarettes.”
The bill will come into effect three months after its publication.
