Key Takeaways
- RTL Nieuws reported that 244 companies in the Netherlands continued selling flavored vapes or vapes to minors even after receiving two fines.
- Over the past four years, 43.00% of NVWA inspections of vape sellers resulted in a fine and 5.00% resulted in a warning.
- The data show that 72 companies received five fines and 6 received ten or more.
- During one day of inspections joined by RTL Nieuws, one seller received a 14th fine.
- In 2025, the maximum first-offense fine that the NVWA could impose was EUR 1360.00 (approximately USD 1482.40, based on 1 EUR = 1.09 USD).
2Firsts, April 8, 2026
According to RTL Nieuws, citing figures from the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, hundreds of Dutch shops continue to sell illegal vapes, often even after receiving multiple fines.
244 companies continued illegal vape sales after at least two fines
Data obtained through the Open Government Act show that over the past four years, 43.00% of NVWA inspections of vape sellers resulted in a fine and 5.00% resulted in a warning. The inspections covered tobacco shops, gas stations, supermarkets, convenience stores, and other retailers.
The figures show that 244 companies continued selling flavored vapes or selling vapes to minors even after being fined at least twice. Among them, 72 companies received five fines and 6 received ten or more.
One retailer received a 14th fine during an inspection day
RTL Nieuws accompanied the NVWA on a day of inspections. According to the report, one of the sellers visited that day received a 14th fine.
An NVWA inspector told the seller that it would be better if the seller stopped selling vapes illegally. The seller replied that stopping was “not worth it,” suggesting that sales income exceeded the cost of the fines.
The maximum first-offense fine in 2025 was EUR 1360
The report said that in 2025, the maximum fine the NVWA could impose for a first offense was EUR 1360.00 (approximately USD 1482.40, based on 1 EUR = 1.09 USD). A second fine could reach EUR 2060.00 (approximately USD 2245.40), while further violations could lead to total fines of up to EUR 22500.00 (approximately USD 24525.00). The NVWA can also confiscate and destroy illegal vapes, with the costs borne by the seller.
Herman Bröring, professor of administrative law at the University of Groningen, said the system is “not working well enough.” He said offenders clearly are not concerned by the current fine levels, and that if sellers continue after being fined, then the fines are “apparently pointless” and enforcement authorities need to do more.
NVWA says some retailers are trying to avoid inspections
The NVWA told RTL that it is dealing with some stubborn entrepreneurs. It said that besides sellers who strictly follow the rules, there is also a group of entrepreneurs who are very aware of inspections and are increasingly hiding or removing vapes to avoid fines.
Pieter Rijswijk of the NVWA said it will take time before all sellers comply with the rules. He said inspectors keep returning, sometimes visiting the same sellers as many as 10 or 16 times, and that over time the fines do begin to have an effect and become annoying.
Image Source: RTL Nieuws
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