Polish Lawmakers Pass Bill to Ban E-Cigarette and Nicotine Pouch Sales to Minors, Restrict Online Sales and Ads

Key Points:

1.The Polish parliament has passed a bill banning the sale of all types of e-cigarette products and nicotine pouches to individuals under the age of 18.

2.The new regulations include banning the online sale of e-cigarettes and nicotine-free products, as well as restricting advertising.

3.E-cigarettes without nicotine e-liquid (which do not contain nicotine) will be banned in all public places where the use of e-cigarettes with nicotine liquid is currently prohibited.

4.The bill received support from 417 lawmakers, with only one opposing and 10 abstaining.

According to the Polish media outlet upday, the Polish lower house of parliament passed a law on May 21 that strictly prohibits the sale of e-cigarettes to minors, regardless of whether the products contain nicotine. The law also restricts remote sales and advertising of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches over the internet. During the voting process on this bill, a total of 417 lawmakers expressed their support, with only one opposing and another 10 abstaining.

The law revision drafted by the Ministry of Health clearly states that it is prohibited to sell all types of e-cigarette products (including nicotine-free e-cigarettes, spare pods) and nicotine pouches to individuals under the age of 18. Additionally, this legislation also prohibits the sale of these products in healthcare facilities, schools and educational institutions, sports and recreational facilities, vending machines, and self-service systems.

The revised bill also stipulates a ban on the online and remote sale of nicotine-free e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, as well as a prohibition on related advertising. The use of e-cigarettes with nicotine-free e-liquid (which produces no nicotine) will be prohibited in all public places where e-cigarettes with nicotine liquid are currently banned. This includes schools, daycare centers, public transportation stations, restaurants, and children's playgrounds.

Polish Deputy Health Minister Wojciech Konieczny is pushing for another bill that would ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes and flavored nicotine pouches within Poland. Konieczny stated that the project may require notification to the European Commission "at least one year or longer in advance.

As early as September 8, 2016, the amendment to Poland's Tobacco and Tobacco Products Health Protection Act came into effect, which also prohibited the online sale of e-cigarettes. However, at that time, the amendment did not include e-cigarette products that did not contain nicotine.