Poland to Ban E-Cigarette Use Among Minors
The Polish government plans to amend the Cigarette Act to ban the use of vapes by young people under the age of 18. This amendment is expected to be adopted in the third quarter of this year.
Legislative Background and Timeline
According to Prawo.pl (July 2), the Polish government intends to adopt a draft amendment to the law on health protection concerning the consequences of cigarette and tobacco product use. The amendment specifically targets banning electronic cigarettes for individuals under 18.
The general principles of the project have already been included in the Council of Ministers’ list of legislative and programmatic work.
Government’s Objective: Protecting Youth Health
With the rising popularity of vaping among young people. The government’s proposed changes aim to safeguard adolescents’ health and prevent them from falling into tobacco-related habits and harm.
This initiative reflects the state’s commitment to protecting minors and calls on all sectors of society to cooperate in creating a clean, healthy environment for youth development.
Ministry of Health’s Official Statement
In its statement, the Ministry of Health emphasized:
- “Such products pose a clear threat to public health, especially to the younger generation and non-smokers. It is therefore necessary to strictly prohibit the sale of all types of vapes and additive vessels to persons under the age of 18, regardless of whether these products contain smoke tar ingredients.”
Current Legal Framework
At present, Poland’s vaping regulations are based on Directive 2014/40/EU of the European Parliament and the Council of April 3, 2014.
This directive harmonizes the legal provisions of EU Member States regarding the production, presentation, and sale of tobacco and related products, replacing Directive 2001/37/WE.
The directive currently applies only to the market for nicotine-containing vape liquids.
Expansion of Regulation to “Smokeless Tar Liquids”
- The new proposal seeks to extend legal control to include “smokeless tar liquids.” Key provisions include:
- Prohibiting the sale of smokeless tar liquids to persons under 18;
- Applying the same usage restrictions as nicotine-containing vape liquids;
- Banning sales through vending machines and distance selling (including online);
- Prohibiting advertising and promotion;
- Requiring product reporting to the Bureau of Compounds.
Implementation Timeline
These updated regulations are expected to be officially adopted in the third quarter of this year.
