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.

Los Angeles Cracks Down on Illicit Flavored Vapes and Counterfeit Goods: 12 Businesses Searched, 24 Arrested, Eight Truckloads Seized
Los Angeles Cracks Down on Illicit Flavored Vapes and Counterfeit Goods: 12 Businesses Searched, 24 Arrested, Eight Truckloads Seized
Los Angeles authorities searched 12 businesses and arrested 24 people during a multi-agency operation targeting illicit flavored vaping products, flavored cigarettes and counterfeit merchandise on October 22, 2026. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said approximately eight tractor-trailer loads of merchandise were seized. Alleged violations involved flavored tobacco sales restrictions, tobacco licensing requirements and counterfeit trademark laws. Local, state and federal agencies participated. Authorities have not disclosed the number, brands or value of vaping products seized. Investigations remain ongoing.
Enforcement
Oct.28
South Korea Imports 12,126 Kg of Nicotine Analogues From April to August After Bringing Synthetic Nicotine Under Tobacco Law
South Korea Imports 12,126 Kg of Nicotine Analogues From April to August After Bringing Synthetic Nicotine Under Tobacco Law
South Korea's liquid-vape market is showing changes across raw-material imports, product types and sales channels after synthetic nicotine came under the Tobacco Business Act on April 24. Customs data show nicotine-analogue imports totaled 12,126 kilograms from April through August, while synthetic-nicotine imports over the same five months totaled 231,663 kilograms, just 39.3% of the amount imported in March alone. Physical liquid-vape stores tracked in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province fell 9.9%, unmanned outlets edged higher and online sales listings increased from 27,774 to 42,437. Government testing of 105 liquid inhalation products promoted as nicotine-free separately found nicotine in 13 and 6-methylnicotine in 12.
Sep.22
NAS 2026 | Former FDA Tobacco Chief Mitch Zeller Calls for Shift From “End Game” to “End State”
NAS 2026 | Former FDA Tobacco Chief Mitch Zeller Calls for Shift From “End Game” to “End State”
At the 2026 New Approaches Summit in New York, former FDA Center for Tobacco Products Director Mitch Zeller called for the tobacco harm reduction debate to shift from the traditional “end game” toward defining a desired “end state.” He also highlighted unresolved concerns around dual use, argued that biomarkers of exposure may be more meaningful than cigarettes-per-day in assessing risk reduction, and said nicotine misperceptions remain a major barrier to public health progress.
Sep.25
Product | PMI Launches ZYN Melts in UK, Extending ZYN Beyond Nicotine Pouches Into Dissolvable Tablets
Product | PMI Launches ZYN Melts in UK, Extending ZYN Beyond Nicotine Pouches Into Dissolvable Tablets
Philip Morris International (PMI) has launched ZYN Melts in the UK, introducing a fully dissolvable oral nicotine tablet format alongside the brand's existing nicotine pouches. The range includes Cool Mint and Peppermint, each offered at 1mg and 2mg of nicotine per tablet, creating four SKUs. Each can contains 20 tablets and is priced at £6.50 in the UK. Unlike ZYN nicotine pouches, Melts are placed between the upper lip and gum and dissolve completely during use.
News
Sep.29 by 2Firsts Perspectives
UK Directors Banned After 352,688 Vapes Imported From China Were Misdeclared as Medical Nebulizers in £15 Million Tax Case
UK Directors Banned After 352,688 Vapes Imported From China Were Misdeclared as Medical Nebulizers in £15 Million Tax Case
The UK Insolvency Service said YSK Enterprises imported large quantities of vapes from China in 2023, with a shipment addressed to the company declared as medical nebulizers before Border Force found 352,688 vaping products. HMRC calculated nearly £15 million ($20.3 million) in unpaid VAT and customs duty, alongside about £437,000 in corporation tax. Two directors were disqualified for nine years. The case predates the UK's Vaping Products Duty, which will introduce vape-specific excise and duty-stamp requirements from October 2026.
Regulations
Sep.11
JTI Liggett Puts U.S. Value Cigarette Brands in Spotlight at 2026 NACS Show
JTI Liggett Puts U.S. Value Cigarette Brands in Spotlight at 2026 NACS Show
At the 2026 NACS Show in Las Vegas, JTI Liggett highlighted its value-priced cigarette portfolio, including LD and Montego, following JT Group's acquisition of Vector Group. The company's U.S. business reported market share gains, with LD sales volume rising 32.6% in the first half of 2026. Meanwhile, Ploom was displayed separately at Altria's booth under an existing partnership. JTI Liggett booth staff told 2Firsts that the company had not yet launched nicotine pouch products in the United States.
EXPO
Oct.09