The Bulgarian parliament has passed a bill to completely ban the sale, promotion, and use of disposable and reusable vapes. Currently, the bill still needs to be approved by the European Union.
Core highlights
- Bulgaria plans to ban the sale and use of vapes, and the revision of relevant laws is in progress.
- The ban proposal needs to be approved by the European Commission before it can be implemented.
- The Bulgarian parliament earlier passed the first reading of the ban by an overwhelming majority.
Bulgaria’s e-cigarette ban still awaits EU approval
According to a recent report by the Bulgarian News Agency, when the Economic Policy and Innovation Committee of the Bulgarian Parliament discussed the second reading of the amendment to the Tobacco and Related Products Law, it was stated that the ban on vapes would be implemented after obtaining approval from the European Commission.
The bill was proposed by Kostadin Angelov, a member of the Bulgarian European Development Civic Party (GERB), in February 2025, calling for a complete ban on the sale, use and promotion of vapes (disposable and reusable vapes) and energy drinks for children.
Petar Kanev, the chairperson of the committee and a member of the Bulgarian Socialist Party’s parliamentary group – United Left, said that this legislation is one of the most anticipated bills in recent years. In February, the parliament passed the bill in its first reading with 197 votes in favor and 0 against.
At the committee meeting, members discussed the implementation timetable of the legislation, taking into account the requirement to notify the European Commission of specific provisions. They unanimously agreed that although the bill would continue to be read twice in parliament, its implementation would be subject to an official notice from Brussels.
