The first assessment by the Dutch Institute for Disease Prevention and Control (RIVM) shows that the ban on flavored vapes in the Netherlands has had an effect, with a significant decrease in vape use. RIVM is calling for a similar ban to be introduced across the EU to improve effectiveness further and reduce cross-border purchases.
Key points:
1. The ban on flavored vapes in the Netherlands has shown initial results, with 40% of users reducing their use and 22% quitting completely.
2. The survey shows that the use of vapes has decreased significantly, and most people have not turned to the illegal market.
3. RIVM calls on the EU to introduce a ban on flavored vapes to improve effectiveness and reduce cross-border purchases.
40% of users reduce usage, illegal purchases shift to Germany
According to NYTimes on March 18, the first recent assessment by the Dutch Institute for Disease Prevention and Control (RIVM) shows that the ban on flavored electronic cigarettes in the Netherlands has shown an effect. The findings point to a significant decline in the use of vapes among Dutch users, and one in five users has completely quit smoking since the ban came into effect.
RIVM surveyed more than 500 teenagers and more than 450 adults. The results showed that 40% of respondents reduced their use of vapes as a result of the ban, and 22% stopped using them altogether. RIVM noted that there were no significant differences between the study groups.
Among these age groups, daily vape use decreased from 29% to 18%, weekly use from 30% to 14%, and monthly use from 42% to 16%.
After most consumers stop using vapes, they do not seek alternatives, such as buying them through illegal markets. RIVM found that those consumers who chose to illegally obtain flavors bought them mainly from physical stores in Germany.
RIVM has called for an EU-wide ban on flavored vapes, arguing that it would improve the effectiveness of the ban while also making it more difficult to buy them across borders.
