Poland’s Ministry of Health has proposed legislation that would outlaw all disposable vapes – including nicotine-free products – under a broad amendment to the country’s tobacco laws.
The draft bill, UD213, aims to curb youth nicotine use and address health and environmental concerns tied to single-use devices. The proposal marks one of Europe’s most comprehensive attempts to eliminate disposables from the market.
According to Polish news outlet Strefa Biznesu, the government is moving forward with the measure as part of a wider tightening of nicotine regulations. The Ministry of Health says the ban is intended to protect young people from becoming addicted while reducing the environmental footprint of products that are difficult to recycle and frequently discarded improperly.
Health ministry outlines risks
The ministry highlighted several risk factors associated with single-use vapes, noting that they have high marketing appeal, are ready-to-use and highly addictive, can contain toxic and immunosuppressive substances, and pose significant recycling challenges due to plastic casings and lithium-ion batteries.
Under the bill, nicotine pouches, gums, sprays and beverages would also come under stricter, pharmaceutical-style controls. Poland’s Office for Chemical Substances would gain new authority to order e-liquid composition testing, signalling an expansion of oversight beyond the vape market.
Medical community backs action but urges balance
Many clinicians support prohibiting disposable vapes, while warning policymakers not to undermine adult access to safer alternatives. In a letter to Health Minister Maciej Berek, pulmonologist Dr Katarzyna Kołcz wrote that single-use products pose a serious risk to young people. She said: “These products have an exceptionally high potential to initiate nicotine addiction among young people – especially because of their attractive design, colorful packaging, and aggressive marketing.”
Pharmacists have also weighed in, arguing that nicotine pouches should remain available to adults. In a letter signed by Dr Dawid Panek, they wrote: “Although these products are not medical devices, their pharmacological and toxicological profiles resemble nicotine replacement therapies (NRT). They do not involve the respiratory system and thus present fewer health risks.”
Professional groups from both sectors say a total prohibition must be paired with a coherent harm-reduction framework. Their proposals include maintaining adult access to smokeless nicotine alternatives, enforcing strict composition and labelling rules, permitting limited flavours such as mint to support cessation, and creating a national anti-nicotine strategy modelled on Sweden and New Zealand, where regulated lower-risk products have contributed to declining smoking rates.
Call for open debate on nicotine policy
Public debate over the draft law has intensified. The Jump 93 Association sent an open letter to President Karol Nawrocki calling for open consultation and accusing the Health Ministry of sidestepping requests for a transparent, evidence-based discussion.
The organisation warned that equating traditional cigarettes with alternative nicotine products contradicts scientific findings and international practice. President Jacek Charmast said: “Conventional cigarettes cause the greatest harm. Transitioning to less harmful nicotine products forms the basis of anti-nicotine policies in countries like Sweden, New Zealand, and the UK.”
Jump 93 argues that excluding harm-reduction advocates from the debate risks stigmatising scientific perspectives and weakening efforts to protect both youth and adults seeking safer alternatives.
