Polish Vape Industry Write to PM: End Excessive Inspections, Communicate, Respect Rule of Law

Key points:

·Representatives of Poland's e-cigarette industry have issued a call to Prime Minister Donald Tusk to cease administrative pressure on legitimate businesses. 

·The industry emphasizes its support for cracking down on illegal trade, but criticizes the current inspections targeting compliant enterprises, which has damaged market confidence. 

·The industry has put forward three specific demands, including suspending excessive inspections, initiating dialogue, and ensuring enforcement proportionality and fair treatment.

·They urge the government to create evidence-based policies and avoid politically motivated crackdowns on the industry. 

According to a report by Fakt on April 29, representatives of the e-cigarette industry have formally appealed to Prime Minister Donald Tusk due to the recent increase in tax and customs enforcement checks nationwide in Poland.

Industry representatives demand the cessation of administrative pressure on legally operating entities, and propose initiating constructive dialogue with the e-cigarette industry. They emphasize that the principle of proportionality and equal treatment of businesses should be followed, in accordance with the Polish Constitution and EU legal regulations.

Industry representatives said they do not oppose checks on the legality of businesses and understand the necessity of cracking down on illegal transactions. However, they pointed out that the current checks primarily affect compliant companies, leading to a decrease in the public's trust in government institutions and causing market instability.

Industry representatives also pointed out that, despite the intensified public debates during the election period, "this should not be a reason to suppress and stigmatize a strictly regulated industry." They criticized the government for ignoring existing scientific data and the real implications of e-cigarettes on health and the economy in their actions.

In the letter, it was reiterated that the e-cigarette industry operates within a clear legal framework, pays taxes according to the law and creates job opportunities. Industry representatives warned that if continued pressure on the industry through "large-scale inspections, administrative fines, and intimidation of legal operators" persists, it may push the market into the grey area, where product quality and consumer protection will not be effectively regulated.

In the letter addressed to the Prime Minister, industry representatives put forward three main demands:

·Before clearly stating the legal basis for strengthening inspections, suspend the current excessive enforcement actions;

·Initiate dialogue with industry representatives, follow proper legislative procedures, assess regulatory impacts, and fulfill reporting obligations to the European Union;

·Ensure that the principle of proportionality and equal treatment of all economic entities are followed in the enforcement process, in line with the Polish Constitution and EU legal requirements. 

Industry representatives emphasized at the end of the letter that they urge the government to "abandon measures driven by political calculations" and advocate that relevant policies should be based on facts, extensive consultation, and respect for the principles of economic freedom.