Netherlands to Hike Fines for Illegal Vape and Tobacco Sales
The Netherlands is set to impose much heavier penalties for the illegal sale of electronic cigarettes (vapes), with fines increasing to €2,040 for a first offense and €3,060 for repeat offenses. Judith Tielen, Minister of State for Health in the Dutch interim government, announced the new decision, which is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, pending parliamentary approval.
The increased fines, which represent a €700 hike for a first offense, will apply to all sellers, including physical shops, supermarkets, night shops, cafes, and online platforms. For larger companies with more than 50 employees, the fine for a first offense will be even higher, at €4,040. Tielen stated that the new penalties are intended to be a strong deterrent, emphasizing that nicotine is an “extremely harmful and powerfully addictive substance.” “The message for those selling illegally is clear: Even if you get caught the first time, the price will be very high,” she said.
The primary goal of this crackdown is to prevent children and teenagers from starting to vape. In the Netherlands, it is already illegal to sell vapes and flavored e-cigarettes to anyone under 18, but reports indicate these products are still being sold to young people “under the counter” or online. The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) is responsible for enforcement and has been provided with additional resources to increase its inspection capacity. Between July 2024 and July 2025, the NVWA issued approximately 300 fines for illegal sales. This move to toughen penalties follows a complete ban on the sale of all tobacco products in supermarkets and restaurants that took effect this year.
- Read more: Netherlands Loses €2.6B as Smokers Buy Tobacco Abroad
- Source: Heavy penalties for illegal e-cigarette sales in the Netherlands
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