Illegal Vape Sellers in the Netherlands Could Be Fined Up to €4,040

Nov.10

The outgoing Dutch government plans to raise fines for illegal sales of vapes and cigarettes, with first-time offenders facing a €2,040 penalty. The new fines, up to €4,040 for large companies, are expected to take effect on July 1, 2026, pending parliamentary approval.

Key Points:

First-time offenders face a €2,040 fine; repeat offenders €3,060.
Companies with over 50 employees could face €4,040 fines.
Illegal vape sales remain widespread despite existing bans.
The policy aims to curb youth access to illegal flavored vapes.
Customs seized 80,000 illicit vapes near Schiphol Airport in June 2025.

2Firsts, Nov. 10, 2025 — According to Dutch News,The outgoing Dutch government plans to increase fines for the illegal sale of vapes and cigarettes, tightening enforcement against unlicensed and underage sales.

Under the proposal, a first offense will incur a €2,040 fine. A second offense will see the fine rise to €3,060, while organizations with more than 50 employees could face penalties of up to €4,040.

“The message to illegal sellers is clear,” said caretaker Health Minister Judith Tielen. “Selling illegal vapes will cost you dearly, even for a first offence.”

Illegal vape and cigarette sales remain a major concern in the Netherlands, particularly in small supermarkets, night shops, cafés, and online platforms. Vapes cannot legally be sold to anyone under 18, and flavored varieties have been banned nationwide since early 2024.

Nevertheless, young people continue to obtain illicit products under the counter and online. The new fine system aims to deter illegal sales and protect youth health.

The proposal, scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, still requires approval from both houses of parliament. Enforcement will involve the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) and Customs.

In June, NVWA and Customs seized a record 80,000 illegal vapes in a storage facility near Schiphol Airport. The Chinese-made devices contained banned flavorings such as watermelon and kiwi, which have been prohibited in the Netherlands since the start of 2024.

Health experts continue to warn about the dangers of vaping, citing risks such as collapsed lungs, COPD, and cancer. RTL reported in May that at least five teenagers in the Netherlands nearly died from vaping-related incidents.

Image Source:NL Times

References:

[1] Cabinet plans steep fines for illegal vape and cigarette sales

Also Read:

[1] Dutch Ministry of Finance reports: Dutch tobacco tax revenue stagnates, mainly due to cross-border consumption shift

[2] Netherlands Seizes 80,000 Illegal Flavored E-cigarettes, Bringing 2025 Total to Over 260,000

[3] Dutch e-cigarette ban cuts use, drives consumers to Germany

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