Latvia’s Constitutional Court Upholds Vape Flavor Ban as Constitutional

Key Highlights

• Latvia’s Constitutional Court upheld the 2025 vape flavor ban as constitutional.
• Pro Vape (Salt) and SIA MASS Industry lost their challenge against the restrictions.
• Court said the law protects children and youth health and serves public interest.
• Ban covers all flavored vape liquids and substitutes, allowing only tobacco-flavor mimics.
• Lawmakers urged to review impact and black-market risks periodically.

2Firsts, October 24, 2025 — According to the Constitutional Court of Latvia, judges have ruled that the government’s ban on flavored vape liquids and tobacco substitutes is consistent with the country’s Constitution (Satversme), rejecting appeals from two vape manufacturers.

The petitioners, Pro Vape — producer of the Salt brand — and SIA MASS Industry, argued that the restrictions unlawfully interfered with their business operations and property rights. However, the court held that the measures have a legitimate constitutional basis grounded in public health protection, particularly for children and youth.

The contested 2024 amendments to the Law on the Circulation of Tobacco Products prohibit the marketing of any flavored vape liquids and nicotine substitutes, except those imitating tobacco taste or smell. Additives such as menthol and geraniol are also banned.

The court cited evidence showing that nicotine is highly addictive, and youth vaping in Latvia has grown “significantly faster” than in other EU countries since 2020. It concluded that the restrictions form part of a comprehensive policy to reduce nicotine product accessibility and future health burdens.

“The benefits to public health outweigh the economic harm to individual businesses,” the judges wrote, noting that the regulation “ensures a fair balance between property rights and societal well-being.”

The ruling also urged the parliament to monitor enforcement outcomes and assess the ban’s impact on illicit trade.

Additional legislative provisions include bans on tobacco products resembling sweets or toys, remote sales to minors, and stricter fines for illegal sales — up to €7,100 for companies and €700 for individual sellers.

Image source: Constitutional Court of Latvia