Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a law banning homemade vape liquid mixtures. Effective July 2024, the legislation will prohibit the production, import, and sale of flavored e-liquids. Despite this, the market remains active, with illegal transactions reaching billions of hryvnias. Ukraine loses approximately 5 billion hryvnia ($100 million) in tax revenue annually due to the illegal market. Consumers can still easily purchase DIY kits in Kyiv and other locations.
Key Points:
- Ban Details: Ukrainian President signs new law prohibiting DIY e-liquid mixtures.
- Market Impact: The Vape market remains active, with illegal trade valued at billions of hryvnia.
- Tax Losses: Ukraine loses 5 billion hryvnia (approximately $100 million) in tax revenue annually due to the illegal e-liquid market.
- Regulations: New regulations prohibit the free distribution or sale of any form of nicotine or e-liquid, with violators facing substantial fines.
- Market Status: Consumers can still easily purchase DIY kits in cities like Kyiv.
On September 3, Telegraf reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a law banning homemade e-liquid mixtures. This measure aims to regulate the growing vape market. The law is part of the Comprehensive Industrial Pollution Prevention Act. Starting July 2024, it will prohibit the production, import, and sale of flavored vapes in Ukraine.
Despite the new legislation, the vape market remains vibrant. vape shops are ubiquitous in Kyiv, with illegal transactions reaching billions of hryvnias. The Grofod Institute estimates Ukraine loses 5 billion hryvnias (approximately $100 million) in tax revenue annually due to the illegal e-liquid market.
The law also prohibits the use of “DIY kits” for making homemade e-liquids. These kits remain readily available in stores. Violators face fines of up to 200% of the product’s value, with a minimum penalty of 24,000 hryvnia (approximately $581).
