Bulgaria plans to implement a total ban on vapes by 2025. A move prompted by the protection of minors and the risk of unregulated substances in vape liquids, despite the risk of illegal online trading and legal disputes with the European Union.
Key points:
1. Bulgaria may move towards a total ban on vapes by 2025.
2. The law is amended to protect youth and prevent minors from accessing vapes.
3. The policy may give rise to illegal trade and legal disputes with the EU.
Bulgaria tightens regulation of vapes:
According to Plovdiv24 reported on March 26. Bulgaria plans to implement a total ban on electronic cigarettes, which is expected to be implemented in 2025. The current regulatory framework for vapes follows an EU directive that limits the nicotine concentration in the liquid and requires packaging to contain a 30% warning that the product contains highly addictive nicotine.
Since March 2023, nicotine-containing vape liquids have been taxed like traditional tobacco, and in October of the same year, all nicotine products were required to carry a tax stamp. To strengthen market regulation, this requirement will be extended to certain nicotine-free e-liquids in 2024.
From excise tax or to a total ban
In July 2024, the Bulgarian Parliament amended the Child Protection Act to prohibit the use of vapes with or without nicotine and heated tobacco products by minors under the age of 18. After several incidents involving the safety of minors in early 2025, social and political pressure surged in Bulgaria, pushing for stricter legislation on vapes.
On February 12, 2025, the Bulgarian Parliament passed a regulation on first reading banning the sale. Promotion and dissemination of vapes in any form, regardless of whether they contain nicotine or not. The bill is motivated by the fact that existing measures have not been effective in preventing minors from accessing vapes and that the presence of unregulated substances in vape liquids (such as THC and HC-C) is considered a risk.
The second reading is expected to take place in the spring of 2025, and Bulgarian parties have indicated that they may propose additional regulatory measures on online trading and illegal markets.
Despite warnings that a ban could lead to a surge in illegal online trading. Bulgaria could become the second EU country after Belgium to impose a total ban on single-use vapes. However, if it decides the ban violates commercial principles, it could also trigger a legal dispute with the EU.
As of March 2025. Bulgaria is in the midst of a regulatory transition, and the sale of vapes is still legal for now. The country is moving toward a total ban with the passage of the bill on the first reading.
