Manufacturers and Sellers to Have 9 Months to Prepare for New Regulations
The Polish Sejm is expected to pass a law introducing a ban on the sale of flavored heated tobacco products in the near future. The Sejm’s health committee supported this solution on Wednesday, February 19.
Read moreThe Polish government approved a draft amendment in January to expand excise taxes on nicotine alternatives, including reusable e-cigarettes, heated tobacco devices, and nicotine pouches. The proposal introduces a 40 PLN per-unit tax on vaping hardware and parts, while increasing taxes on disposable e-liquid content by 40 PLN. Industry groups warn this could raise retail prices by 50 PLN per device, potentially driving consumers back to combustible cigarettes or unregulated markets.
Read moreOn January 21/2025, the Polish government approved a bill that would prohibit the sale of all disposable and reusable e-cigarettes, including nicotine-free varieties and nicotine pouches, to individuals under the age of 18. Health Minister Izabela Leszczyna emphasized that the proposed amendments to the Act on the Protection of Health Against the Consequences of Using Tobacco and Tobacco Products would also ban the use of nicotine-free e-cigarettes in the same manner as nicotine-containing e-cigarettes.
Key provisions of the bill include:
The proposed measures must be notified to the European Commission, a process that takes three months. Minister Leszczyna expressed hope that after this period, the Sejm (lower house of the Polish parliament) would unanimously adopt the regulations. The provisions related to the sale of e-cigarettes to minors would come into force 14 days after the publication of the amended act.
The bill also allows electronic cigarettes and spare containers that do not meet the new requirements to remain on the market for no longer than six months from the date the law enters into force.
A separate bill approved by the government prohibits the introduction of flavored heated tobacco products into the market. Producers and sellers would have nine months to comply with the new regulations after they come into effect.
The Polish government is set to discuss a draft amendment to the Excise Tax Act, which proposes extending the excise tax to additional nicotine-containing products, including reusable e-cigarettes, HTPs, and nicotine pouches. The amendment also seeks to broaden the definition of so-called “innovative products.”
Read moreCollaboration with Health Ministry to Analyze Situation and Make Responsible Decisions
Andrzej Domański, the Polish Minister of Finance, informed TVP Info on Tuesday that the Ministry of Finance is considering the possibility of raising the excise tax on tobacco products, such as nicotine pouches, for health reasons. He added that the Ministry of Finance, along with the Ministry of Health, is thoroughly analyzing the situation.
Read morePoland needs effective regulations to prevent the sale of e-cigarettes, both with and without nicotine, to minors. The current laws fail to adequately address the issue, making these products too easily accessible to young people. The Ministry of Health has prepared amendments to the existing legislation to tackle this problem. However, according to the latest version of the draft, the new regulations are unlikely to come into force before the second quarter of 2025.
Read morePresident Andrzej Duda has signed an excise tax bill that will lead to significant increases in e-cigarette prices, affecting a growing number of Polish vapers.
Read morePoland is gearing up to increase excise taxes on tobacco products and electronic smoking devices over the next three years, following President Andrzej Duda’s approval of a bill passed by both houses of parliament. The move, which was initiated by the government in late July 2024, is part of a broader effort to curb smoking rates across the nation.
Read morePoland is taking steps to ban nicotine pouches following warnings from health experts about the potential for serious health issues, including various types of cancer. The growing popularity of these small parcels containing synthetic nicotine, which are placed on the gums, has raised concerns among health professionals and government officials alike.
Nicotine pouches have been gaining traction in Poland as an alternative to smoking or vaping. However, health experts caution that these products simply trade one health risk for another. They warn that the use of nicotine pouches can lead to cancers of the mouth, throat, and pancreas, as well as cardiovascular problems.
Poland has already banned pouches containing tobacco, known by the Swedish term “snus,” in line with a European Union directive. However, the current legislation does not cover pouches containing synthetic nicotine, which have recently reemerged on the market.
In response to the growing concern, Polish Health Minister Izabela Leszczyna has announced that officials are working on a bill to ban pouches containing synthetic nicotine. Speaking to public broadcaster TVP Info on Friday, Leszczyna stated, “What we’re talking about are pouches with synthetic nicotine, which have reappeared. In the law that we’re working on, they will be banned because they may only be used as a medical product.”
While Leszczyna could not provide a specific timeline for when the plan would become law, she expressed her desire to have the draft ready by the end of the year.
Poland’s Deputy Minister of Health, Wojciech Konieczny, announced during a parliamentary health committee meeting that a comprehensive and radical bill banning disposable vapes is ready. The proposed legislation would also eliminate all flavored e-cigarettes from the market, regardless of their form. While the exact timeline for further deliberation remains unclear, this proposal aligns with the appeals made by doctors and experts, particularly in the context of younger consumers’ health.
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