Italy is to ban online sales of nicotine-containing products including vapes from January 2025.
The decree, announced by Minister of Economy and Finance Giancarlo Giorgetti, means consumers will only be able to legally buy vapes from retail outlets and tobacconists.
It comes after three major tobacco associations in Italy requested the ban at a financial committee hearing in September.
President of the Tobacco Merchants Association Mario Antonelli told the hearing that online sales of products containing nicotine must be prohibited to “protect the entire sales network.”
He said: “We are the main association representing 48,000 tobacco shops. All nicotine products must be sold in tobacco shops, which not only affects national tax revenue but also consumer health.
“The illegal tobacco market is valued at around one billion euros, causing us to lose 120 million euros in revenue. The best way to protect tobacco shops is to ensure they have exclusive sales of nicotine products and to ban online sales.”
‘Proliferation’ of websites selling illegal vapes
Demetrio Cuzzola, National Director of the Italian Tobacco Merchants' Alliance, said the ban is urgently needed due to a “proliferation” of unregulated websites based in other countries selling illegal vapes online.
He also called for a new law making the government responsible for the recycling or disposal of single-use vapes.
"Currently, electronic waste larger than 25 centimetres needs to be handled by stores with an area exceeding 400 square metres,” he said. “As e-cigarettes are smaller, they should be classified as batteries and the city government should be responsible for their recycling and disposal.”
As part of the new regulations favouring physical shops over online retailers, businesses selling vapes will have their licences extended from two years to four years.
And as of November 1, all liquid products sold by authorised retailers must bear a tax stamp on the packaging.
Other vaping regulations
Earlier this year, new regulation was introduced that bans the advertisement of vapes in stores through commercial campaigns or promotional flyers and posters.
Showcasing the technical features of vapes or the flavours of mixed spices is allowed, but subjective comments or language intended to attract attention from new customers is prohibited.
In January 2023, the Italian government announced a ban on vaping indoors, similar to its laws governing smoking. The Sirchia law - named after former Health Minister Girolamo Sirchia - prohibits vaping in indoor public places and workplaces such as schools, hospitals, restaurants, and public transport.
Anyone who violates the indoor vaping ban is subject to an “administrative fine” of up to €275.
Italy also taxes vapes at €0.13 per millilitre for e-liquids containing nicotine and €0.08 for those without.
