Bremen Sees Active Illicit Trade in E-Cigarettes and Nicotine Pouches; Regulators Say ‘Nearly Every Inspection Finds Violations’

Key Points:

Enforcement Findings: In its response to a query from the Free Democratic Party (FDP), Bremen’s state government says the illicit circulation of disposable e-cigarettes, snus, and nicotine pouches is active and rising, with “violations in nearly every inspection.”

Product Non-Compliance: Police have repeatedly seized disposable e-cigarettes that exceed Germany’s 2 ml e-liquid limit and therefore are not eligible for legal sale.

Regulatory Intensity & Frequency: Six targeted inspections were conducted at tobacco shops over the past two years; customs officers carry out multiple operations each month at newsstands and other retail outlets.

Geography & Nature of Violations: Since 2024, there have been 255 inspections with 54 violations recorded. Infractions are “clustered” at specific locations, with no evidence to date of organized crime involvement.

2Firsts, October 10, 2025 — Citing a report by Kreiszeitung on October 9, Bremen’s state government warns that illicit trade in e-cigarettes, snus, and nicotine pouches is active and on the rise. The assessment is based on the government’s formal written reply to an FDP parliamentary inquiry.

The government’s response states that enforcement inspections “almost always uncover violations.” Bremen police have seized large quantities of disposable e-cigarettes alleged to exceed Germany’s 2 ml e-liquid cap and therefore not eligible for legal sale; the circulation of non-compliant snus and nicotine pouches is also aggravating the problem. The government stresses that nicotine pouches, given their appeal to young people, pose new challenges for youth protection.

On enforcement, the state’s food surveillance, animal protection, and veterinary authorities conduct systematic, regular spot checks at points of sale for tobacco products, e-liquids, and disposable vapes, though sampling intensity is limited—only 0.5 samples per 1,000 residents. Over the past two years, there have been six targeted inspections of tobacco specialty shops; in addition, customs conducts multiple operations each month at newsstands and other retail outlets.

Bremen’s municipal administration reports that since January 1, 2024, authorities have carried out 255 inspections of businesses selling tobacco and alcohol, finding 54 violations, mainly involving sales of alcohol, tobacco, or e-cigarettes to minors; repeat offenders face higher fines. Complaints and enforcement data also show “clustered” violations in certain districts, concentrated around the Bahnhofsquartier (central station area), Bremen-Mitte (city center), as well as Woltmershausen and Gröpelingen. To date, there is no evidence of organized crime networks.

Cover image credit: Kreiszeitung.