Germany Plans to Ban Disposable E-Cigarettes

Mar.21.2023
Germany Plans to Ban Disposable E-Cigarettes
Germany plans to ban disposable e-cigarettes due to environmental concerns, with the support of the Federal Environment Minister.

The German Federal Senate has recently developed a plan to ban disposable electronic cigarettes. The plan aims to prohibit disposable e-cigarettes throughout Germany, with the Senate currently urging the federal government to consider implementing the ban. Steffi Lemke, the German Federal Environment Minister, has expressed support for the resolution.


The pressing issue of environmental pollution that needs to be addressed.


Currently, over 5 million disposable e-cigarettes are sold every month in Germany, according to data from the German E-cigarette Trade Association (VdeH). The sales revenue of e-cigarettes in the Federal Republic of Germany is expected to exceed 300 million euros by 2022. E-cigarettes are now commonly sold in supermarkets and convenience stores (Spätis), priced between 7 and 10 euros, and can provide up to 600 puffs for users.


After using disposable e-cigarettes, waste materials such as electronic waste, plastic waste, and used batteries are produced, posing environmental pollution problems. Environmentalists heavily criticize disposable e-cigarettes and condemn the huge waste of resources they cause. The e-liquid inside the device is actually heated by electricity, but lithium-ion batteries are highly flammable, which hinders their recycling.


According to sources from 2FIRSTS, German Federal Environment Minister Svenja Schulze, who supports this resolution, is a member of the Green Party (GRÜNE). The Green Party is an environmental protection-focused political party and the world's oldest green political organization. They advocate for green politics, oppose military expansion, promote peace and anti-nuclear energy, and promote a return to a natural lifestyle.


According to a previous report by 2FIRSTS, Linda Heitmann, a member of the German Green Party, proposed restricting the supply of alcohol and cigarettes, citing them as "the most dangerous drugs to date." Gillian Mackay, a member of the Scottish Green Party, hoped that retailers would treat e-cigarettes like cigarettes and "hide" them from view.


According to reports, in January 2023, the government of the Bavarian state of Germany called for a ban on electronic cigarettes within the European Union and requested that the federal government initiate a movement at the EU level to prohibit the sale of disposable electronic cigarette products. The Bavarian state hopes to reduce the market growth of disposable electronic cigarette products and ultimately decrease the environmental pollution caused by related products through government advocacy.


Teenagers are starting to engage in the trend of using drugs.


In the past year, there has been a significant increase in the number of 14 to 17 year-olds in Germany using e-cigarettes. In a recent representative survey, 15.9% of adolescents in Germany admitted to smoking.


The nicotine levels in electronic cigarettes may be higher than those in traditional cigarettes. Christina Schadt, head of the addiction prevention organization Suchtprävention Berlin, told Stern: "Young people who have not yet smoked are learning about smoking through these products. The sweet taste and smoothness of e-cigarettes give them a false impression that they are consuming something harmless.


Further reading:


The German Green Party proposed restrictions on the sale of tobacco and alcohol.


The era of strict regulation for electronic cigarettes has arrived in Germany. Multiple shops are being inspected.


Reference:


Germany is considering banning disposable e-cigarettes in the near future.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

Opinion | As EU Reviews Tobacco Rules, Experts Warn Against Overlooking Smokers’ Alternatives
Opinion | As EU Reviews Tobacco Rules, Experts Warn Against Overlooking Smokers’ Alternatives
As the European Commission reviews its tobacco and advertising rules, two experts who provided written comments to 2Firsts argue that future EU policy should not overlook adult smokers’ alternatives. Dr Garrett McGovern and Dr Carmen Escrig say regulators should weigh relative risk, adult switching, flavours, consumer behaviour and scientific uncertainty alongside youth protection.
Industry Insight
Jun.01
2Firsts Exclusive Analysis | RLX Q1 Revenue Rises 96.2%, International Business Points to a More Integrated Global Strategy
2Firsts Exclusive Analysis | RLX Q1 Revenue Rises 96.2%, International Business Points to a More Integrated Global Strategy
RLX Technology’s Q1 net revenues rose 96.2% year over year, with international business accounting for 72.3% of total revenue. Beyond the headline growth, the results point to deeper globalization: European operations, Nexus supply-chain integration and a broader product portfolio are becoming key signals to watch.
Special Report
May.20
PMI to Launch IQOS in Argentina by End-2026 After Regulatory Shift, Targeting About 7 Million Smokers
PMI to Launch IQOS in Argentina by End-2026 After Regulatory Shift, Targeting About 7 Million Smokers
Philip Morris International (PMI) has confirmed plans to bring its IQOS heated tobacco device to Argentina by the end of 2026, after the Argentine government lifted long-standing restrictions and created a regulatory framework for heated tobacco, e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches.
News
Jun.26 by 2Firsts Perspectives
FDA Posts Environmental Assessment for Nicotine Pouches, May Influence Future PMTA Reviews
FDA Posts Environmental Assessment for Nicotine Pouches, May Influence Future PMTA Reviews
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a programmatic environmental assessment covering nicotine pouches and other oral nicotine products, concluding that their overall environmental impact is generally minimal.
Regulations
May.22
From Heating Blades to Heating Paper? CTHB Patent Points to Microwave Heated Tobacco Design
From Heating Blades to Heating Paper? CTHB Patent Points to Microwave Heated Tobacco Design
According to China’s patent office records, a patent owned by China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Corporation (CTHB) for “cigarette paper and a cigarette for microwave heating” was granted on May 19, 2026. The patent describes cigarette paper with an outer wrapping layer, a heating layer, and an isolation heat-conducting layer, allowing it to absorb microwave energy, convert it to heat, and transfer that heat to the aerosol-generating substrate.
Jun.10
U.S. Military Nicotine Policy Sparks Debate as Nicotine Pouches Enter Discussion
U.S. Military Nicotine Policy Sparks Debate as Nicotine Pouches Enter Discussion
An opinion article published by Stars and Stripes argued that the Pentagon’s January nicotine clinical guidelines overemphasize abstinence, fail to reflect the reality that about 30% of active-duty personnel use nicotine, and do not address nicotine pouches as potential harm-reduction products.
Industry Insight
Jun.08