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.

PMI Global R&D Chief Meets Chinese Tobacco Regulator as China Advances Heated Cigarette Standards
PMI Global R&D Chief Meets Chinese Tobacco Regulator as China Advances Heated Cigarette Standards
Philip Morris International’s global R&D chief Michele Cattoni met Liu Sanjiang, deputy director of China’s State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, in Beijing on Aug. 27. The meeting comes as China advances mandatory standards for heated cigarettes and nicotine pouches, laying groundwork for their domestic introduction. Cattoni has held senior roles in PMI’s heated tobacco development, while China’s draft standard covers multiple heating architectures, including systems similar in principle to PMI’s IQOS ILUMA technology.
Aug.27
New York’s 75% Wholesale Tax on Nicotine Pouches Takes Effect Sept. 1, With Aug. 31 Inventory Subject to Floor Tax
New York’s 75% Wholesale Tax on Nicotine Pouches Takes Effect Sept. 1, With Aug. 31 Inventory Subject to Floor Tax
New York State will extend its tobacco products tax to “alternative nicotine products,” including tobacco-free nicotine pouches, from September 1, 2026, at a rate of 75% of the wholesale price. Distributors, wholesalers and retailers must also inventory products held as of 11:59 p.m. on August 31 and pay a floor tax. Vapor products are excluded from the new category and remain subject to New York's separate 20% supplemental sales tax on the retail price.
Aug.26
Product | JTI Launches Ploom AURA Teal Electric Pop in South Korea, Its First Dual-Color Edition
Product | JTI Launches Ploom AURA Teal Electric Pop in South Korea, Its First Dual-Color Edition
JTI Korea launched the Ploom AURA Teal Electric Pop limited edition in South Korea on September 1, 2026, marking the first dual-color design in the Ploom AURA range. The device combines a dark green body with teal accents and is accompanied by matching Front Panel, Back Cover and Pocket Bag accessories. The standalone device is priced at KRW 29,000, with three additional device-and-accessory bundles available. The release continues JTI Korea's use of limited colorways and interchangeable accessories to expand the Ploom AURA portfolio without introducing a new hardware platform.
Sep.03
U.S. Customs Plan to Require Foreign Export Declarations Could Deal ‘Devastating’ Blow to China’s Vape Exports, Logistics gl Expert Says
U.S. Customs Plan to Require Foreign Export Declarations Could Deal ‘Devastating’ Blow to China’s Vape Exports, Logistics gl Expert Says
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection proposal to collect foreign export declarations and other overseas customs documents could expose discrepancies in the value, classification and description of China-made vape shipments entering the United States. A veteran Chinese logistics professional told 2Firsts that the measure, if implemented, could undermine the all-inclusive shipping model used by some unauthorized vape exporters and push parts of the trade toward costlier underground channels. The risk extends beyond higher duties: accurately declared products may also be more readily identified as unauthorized e-cigarettes subject to FDA enforcement.
Special Report
Sep.07
Snowplus Enters Japan’s FamilyMart Network With Zero-Nicotine NEO Line and Kishidan Campaign
Snowplus Enters Japan’s FamilyMart Network With Zero-Nicotine NEO Line and Kishidan Campaign
Snowplus distributor H&S said the zero-nicotine, zero-tar NEO vaping line will begin rolling out across FamilyMart stores in Japan from September 14, 2026, excluding some locations. The DASH line will also be sold at selected FamilyMart stores in southern Kyushu and Okinawa. Snowplus simultaneously named Japanese rock band Kishidan as a brand ambassador, combining convenience-store distribution with a broader consumer marketing push in Japan.
Sep.15
Malaysia Liquid Nicotine Returns to Poisons List, Leaving Vape Retail and RM354 Million Tax Collection in Legal Uncertainty
Malaysia Liquid Nicotine Returns to Poisons List, Leaving Vape Retail and RM354 Million Tax Collection in Legal Uncertainty
Malaysia’s withdrawal of its appeal in a landmark liquid-nicotine case has left a High Court ruling that struck down the 2023 nicotine exemption in force, bringing liquid and gel nicotine used in vaping products back under the Poisons Act 1952. At the same time, the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 continues to provide a regulatory framework for vaping products, creating uncertainty over retail sales, taxation and existing inventory. MPs are calling for nicotine vape sales and excise collection to stop, including refunds of more than RM354 million collected since 2023, while industry and consumer groups are asking the government to clarify the current legal position.
Sep.04