Bulgaria Bans Disposable Vape Marketing, Limits Nicotine Pouches

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Bulgaria vaping ban

The Bulgarian Parliament has voted to prohibit the marketing of disposable electronic cigarettes (vapes), regardless of nicotine content, in a significant move to tighten regulations on emerging nicotine products. The measure, adopted at its second reading with strong support (133 for, 30 against, 8 abstentions), is part of broader amendments to the Act on Tobacco, Tobacco and Related Products.

Alongside the disposable vape marketing ban, the new legislation restricts the sale of various tobacco and nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, near youth-frequented locations such as schools, kindergartens, student dormitories, and medical facilities. Sales at sports and public events for children are also forbidden.

Furthermore, lawmakers approved a nicotine content cap for alternative products like nicotine pouches and snus, prohibiting the sale of items exceeding 20 mg of nicotine per unit. Existing non-compliant nicotine products will have a one-month grace period for sale after the amendments are officially gazetted.

While some MPs, like Georgi Georgiev of Vazrazhdane, criticized the approach as “partial regulation” for allowing reusable vapes while banning disposable marketing, the changes represent a clear step towards stricter control. These new rules concerning vaping products will formally enter into force after the European Commission’s notification period under Directive (EU) 2015/1535 concludes, allowing for EU scrutiny of the technical regulations.

Matthew Ma
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