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.

WSJ: White House Pushes for More Flavored Vape Approvals as FDA Commissioner Makary Blocks Move
WSJ: White House Pushes for More Flavored Vape Approvals as FDA Commissioner Makary Blocks Move
According to The Wall Street Journal, the White House is pushing to allow more flavored vape products onto the market for the first time in years, but FDA Commissioner Marty Makary opposes the move and has blocked the plan. The report said a memo from Makary’s office prevented authorization of several flavors from vape maker Glas, even after FDA scientific reviewers had supported them.
Apr.20 by 2FIRSTS.ai
PML Expands Its UK Smoke-Free Portfolio With LEVIA
PML Expands Its UK Smoke-Free Portfolio With LEVIA
Philip Morris Limited has launched LEVIA, a new range of zero-tobacco flavored nicotine sticks created for the IQOS ILUMA range. The product expands the company’s smoke-free portfolio in the UK and will initially be available in four variants, including Deep Mint and three capsule-based flavors. LEVIA has a recommended retail price of £5, or about $6.73, based on the European Central Bank’s April 28.
Apr.29 by 2FIRSTS.ai
New Movement Emerges on EU Tobacco Excise Directive as Cyprus Tables Compromise Draft
New Movement Emerges on EU Tobacco Excise Directive as Cyprus Tables Compromise Draft
The long-stalled debate over the European Union’s Tobacco Excise Directive may be moving forward, with Cyprus, as holder of the EU Council presidency, putting forward a compromise draft. The reported proposal includes lowering the minimum excise duty requirement and granting a transitional period, with the aim of reaching political agreement by June 2026. The revision also covers e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, nicotine pouches and stronger controls on raw tobacco.
Apr.21 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Altria Reports Q1 2026 Net Revenues of $5.43 Billion and 7.3% Growth in Adjusted Diluted EPS
Altria Reports Q1 2026 Net Revenues of $5.43 Billion and 7.3% Growth in Adjusted Diluted EPS
Altria Group reported its first-quarter 2026 results on April 30. Net revenues were $5.43 billion, up 3.2% year on year, while revenues net of excise taxes were $4.76 billion, up 5.3%. Reported diluted EPS was $1.30, up more than 100%, and adjusted diluted EPS was $1.32, up 7.3%.
May.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Philip Morris Korea Names Lee Hong-seok as New CEO Effective May 1
Philip Morris Korea Names Lee Hong-seok as New CEO Effective May 1
Philip Morris Korea said on April 29 that it has appointed Lee Hong-seok, head of its smoke-free products division, as its new chief executive officer, with his term beginning on May 1. Yoon Hee-kyung, who took office in 2023, will step down after about three years in the role.
Apr.30 by 2FIRSTS.ai
FDA Expands ENDS Market Access With First Authorization of Non-Tobacco and Non-Menthol Products
FDA Expands ENDS Market Access With First Authorization of Non-Tobacco and Non-Menthol Products
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on May 5, 2026 that it authorized the marketing of four Glas electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) products through the premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) pathway. The authorized products are Classic Menthol, Fresh Menthol, Gold and Sapphire pods, each containing 50mg/ml, or 5%, tobacco-derived nicotine.
May.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai