Join us now & support harm reduction!

    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.
    Latest
    News

    Italy bans online sales of nicotine-containing vapes

    Ali Anderson
    Ali Anderson
    November 4, 2024
    3 min
    Download Source FilesDownload Source Files

    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.

    Take Action Now!

    Sign up to our newsletter to get important news and alerts as it happens

    By clicking Sign Up you're confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions.

    FAQs

    Campaigning can be difficult, especially if it's not your full time job, but we're here to make it simpler. In this section, you'll find answers to frequently asked questions about legislative processes, advocacy strategies, and how you can effectively participate in shaping policies.

    What is advocacy and how can I get involved?

    Simply put, advocacy is organising a group of likeminded people who campaign for a change in government policy by talking to the people in power. This can take many forms, from posting on social media, to writing to your local politicians, to arranging meetings with the government or responding to consultations. We help by providing the information and tools you need to do this effectively.

    How can I track the progress of legislation?

    Government websites will usually contain a list of the legislative files that are in the process of becoming law. However, these kinds of websites are designed for legal and political professionals, and they can often be confusing for the general public. We help by keeping our ear to the ground, looking out for development in tobacco harm reduction proposals, and then make sure you have an easy-to-use summary.

    What's the best way to contact my representatives?

    Politicians are people too, and like everyone else, the best way to get messages to them varies from person to person. Some like email or even traditional mail, while others are constantly checking their social media feeds. They all have one thing in common though: they need to keep up to date with what matters to the people they represent. We help you find yours by keeping databases of politicians and candidates across Europe alongside all of their contact details, so you can quickly find out how to reach the person you need.

    Can I make a difference?

    Yes! The only reason that harm reduction is still alive and kicking in Europe today is because people like you, with no political or campaigning background, took action to protect the availability of the products they rely on to stay smoke free. We've got lots of articles that talk about when and how this has happened in the past, which we hope will inspire you to get involved and make a difference.

    Still have questions?

    Send us an email and we'll get back to you.

    Stay Updated with Our Newsletter

    Sign up for our newsletter to receive regular updates and stay engaged.

    By joining, you agree to our Terms and Conditions.
    Be part of something great

    Join the community

    Make a positive change in the world of tobacco harm reduction
    Thank you! Your submission has been received!
    Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
    Email
    Please fill out the form below to get in touch with us.
    hello@clearingtheair.eu