Netherlands plans to raise nicotine purchase age to 21, including vapes

Key Points

• The Dutch coalition agreement proposes raising the minimum purchase age for nicotine-containing products to 21, including vapes.
• The plan follows rising concern about youth vaping in the Netherlands.
• Similar tightening is underway in Latvia, Ireland and Finland via higher age thresholds or “smoke-free generation” approaches.
• Industry groups argue 18-year-olds are legal adults and warn the change could drive illicit trade and cross-border purchases.

2Firsts, Feb 9, 2026

According to Euractiv, the Netherlands is planning to raise the minimum legal age for purchasing nicotine-containing products to 21, with the change also applying to vapes currently sold from age 18. The policy is referenced in the Dutch coalition agreement reached last month, which links the measure to ongoing “smoke-free generation” initiatives.

Euractiv notes the proposal comes amid heightened concern about youth vaping. A 2025 government-commissioned study found that one in 10 12-year-olds had tried vaping, while nearly 40% of 12–16-year-old users said they were addicted, with one in three of those vaping daily.

The proposed shift mirrors developments elsewhere in Europe. Latvia raised the minimum legal age for tobacco, vapes and nicotine pouches from 18 to 20 last year, while Ireland is pursuing a “smoke-free generation” pathway that would raise the purchasing age to 21 by Feb. 1, 2028. Finland is also considering lifting its age threshold from 18 to 20 as part of its “tobacco- and nicotine-free by 2030” goal. Euractiv adds that the long-term impact of such measures remains under review, with Latvian officials indicating fuller data may only emerge in late 2026 or 2027.

Industry groups have criticised the Dutch plan, arguing that 18-year-olds are legal adults and questioning the effectiveness of a higher age limit, while warning it could encourage illicit trade and cross-border buying. Euractiv also points to neighbouring policy differences, including Germany debating tax changes rather than an age increase, and Belgium maintaining age 18 sales while banning disposable vapes in 2025.

Image source: Euractiv