Poland Proposes New Regulations and Tax on E-Cigarettes and Vaping Devices

Poland Proposes New Regulations and Tax on E-Cigarettes and Vaping Devices

Poland’s Ministry of Finance has proposed a new PLN 40 fee on both single-use and reusable vaporization devices in a significant move to curb youth vaping. This proposal accompanies plans to ban the sale of all e-cigarettes to minors starting January 1, 2025.

Deputy Finance Minister Jarosław Neneman announced the proposed fee at a recent parliamentary subcommittee meeting. “We propose a PLN 40 fee for vaping devices. It will affect both disposable and reusable vaporizers – all devices,” Neneman stated. He emphasized that this fee will particularly impact disposable e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

Health Minister Izabela Leszczyna reinforced the government’s stance on youth vaping during a Polsat News interview. She expressed her desire to implement a comprehensive ban on e-cigarette sales to individuals under 18 by the start of 2025. Leszczyna highlighted the deceptive nature of flavored e-cigarettes, noting, “We already ban those with nicotine, but in fact these cigarettes don’t differ, they all pretend to be watermelon or strawberry.”

The proposed amendment to the Act on the protection of health against the effects of using tobacco and tobacco products aims to address several key areas:

  1. The government will ban the sale of e-cigarettes to minors
  2. They will restrict use in public places
  3. Officials will prohibit sales through vending machines and online platforms
  4. The new law will eliminate advertising and promotion of these products

Importantly, the new regulations will cover nicotine-free liquids, which currently fall outside the scope of existing tobacco laws. The government argues that these products pose similar risks to nicotine-containing e-cigarettes and can serve as a gateway to tobacco use for young people.

The draft amendment also introduces stricter reporting requirements for manufacturers and mandates changes to product composition and packaging. These measures aim to align e-cigarette regulations with those governing traditional tobacco products.

Health officials stress the addictive nature of all cigarettes, regardless of nicotine content. The proposed changes reflect growing concerns about the rising popularity of e-cigarettes among Polish youth and the potential long-term health consequences of vaping.

While the exact implementation date remains uncertain, the government plans to enact these changes three months after the official announcement. This move places Poland at the forefront of European efforts to combat the youth vaping epidemic and protect public health.

News source:
MF proponuje wprowadzenie 40 zł opłaty od jedno- i wielorazowych urządzeń do waporyzacji
Od 1 stycznia 2025 r. ma obowiązywać zakaz sprzedaży e-papierosów osobom do 18 lat

Matthew Ma
Follow
Latest posts by Matthew Ma (see all)

Related posts:

vaping laws in CanadaVaping Laws in Canada – Everything You Need to Know Vaping Laws in usaVaping Laws in the U.S. by State Framework Convention on Tobacco ControlWorld Tobacco Control Convention Progress Report 2022 vaping tax by stateVaping Taxes by State in the United States 2024 Vaping, Smoking and the Fight for a Smoke-Free AmericaVaping, Smoking and the Fight for a Smoke-Free America: Where We Stand and Where We Go Evolution of FDA Vaping RegulationsEvolution of FDA Vaping Regulations: A Chronological Analysis