New excise tax regulations are set to take effect in Poland on August 1, 2025, significantly impacting the market for alternative nicotine products. The legislation, enacted on February 20, 2025, expands the list of products subject to excise duty, targeting categories that have previously been less expensive alternatives to traditional cigarettes.
The changes primarily affect three new groups of products:
- Nicotine Pouches: Tobacco-free oral products containing nicotine or its derivatives.
- Other Nicotine Products: A new, broadly defined category for products that enable nicotine absorption but are not classified as cigarettes, e-cigarettes, e-liquids, or tobacco for smoking.
- Tobacco-Free Novel Products: Tobacco-free mixtures and products that fall under an expanded definition of novel products.
Under the new rules, both nicotine pouches and “other nicotine products” will be subject to an excise tax rate of 150 PLN per kilogram. Tobacco-free novel products will be taxed at the same rate as their tobacco-containing counterparts, equalizing their fiscal treatment.
Furthermore, the amendment introduces a mandatory requirement for tax stamps (banderole) on certain items, including vaporizing devices (vape hardware) and the e-liquids used in disposable e-cigarettes. Sets of parts for vaporizing devices are exempt from this requirement.
Businesses have been given a transition period to sell off existing, unstamped stock. The sale of these products without the new tax stamps will be permitted until April 30, 2026. After this date, all newly listed products must bear the tax stamps to be legally sold. These changes are part of a broader strategy to tighten the tax system, unify rules for all nicotine-containing products, and reduce the accessibility of previously less-regulated alternatives.