Poland is drafting a new law to ban the sale of disposable vapes, regardless of whether they contain nicotine.
The Polish Ministry of Health said it plans to outlaw all single-use vapes in a bid to prevent young people from taking up vaping.
The legislative agenda states (translated from Polish): “The proposed regulations have the most impact on young people. E-cigarettes, whether they contain nicotine or other substances, are products that pose a clear threat to public health.
“These products contain highly addictive substances and other accompanying substances, which, when absorbed by the body, have unknown health effects on those who use these products.”
Law to be addressed after elections
The government will address the legislation after presidential elections in the third quarter of 2025, Minister of Health Izabela Leszczyna told TV station TVP Info.
The draft law also gives the director of the Chemical Management Bureau powers to order testing of e-liquid ingredients, and to list the names of laboratories responsible for carrying out such tests.
Last year, around 100 million vapes were sold in Poland with nearly 90 percent being imported from China without any prior testing.
Discussing the law on disposable vapes last March, Ms Leszczyna told TVP World: “I discussed this subject exactly a month ago with the prime minister and got the green light.”
She added that single-use vapes are currently “the greatest threat, especially to young people,” who under existing laws – preventing their sale to under 18s – should not be allowed to buy them.
“But unfortunately, we know that the reality is different,” she said.
Potential flavour ban
According to Polish news site 2Firsts.com, the Polish government is planning at a later date to ban e-liquid flavours except for tobacco, and restrict the sale of nicotine pouches.
It is thought the sale of any chewing gum, lozenges, nasal sprays, and drinks containing nicotine will also be prohibited or restricted.
The latest legislation comes after the Polish Senate unanimously passed a ban on flavoured heated tobacco products (HTPs) last month. The proposed law now awaits final approval from the President’s office. The move puts Poland in line with directives issued by the European Union on HTPs in 2023.
Marek Kos, Deputy Minister of Health in Poland, said there will be a nine-month transition period for businesses to comply with the new regulations.
Vape and e-liquid tax increases
The Polish government also recently passed an increase in taxes on vapes and related products.
Starting from July 1, the tax on vapes will be 40 PLN (€9.3). In addition, the tax on e-liquid will gradually increase. From July 1, the tax will be 0.96 PLN (€0.22) per milliliter; from January 1, 2026, it will rise to 1.44 PLN (€0.33) per milliliter; and from January 1, 2027, it will go up again to 1.80 PLN (€0.42) per milliliter.
