Key points:
- Poland’s Sejm (lower house of parliament) has passed legislation banning the sale of all e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches to individuals under 18, including nicotine-free products.
- The law also prohibits online sales and advertising of the products, and extends public use restrictions to nicotine-free e-cigarettes.
- The bill received overwhelming support and now awaits Senate review and presidential approval.
Poland’s Sejm has approved a bill that bans the online sale of all types of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches and sales to individuals under 18 years of age. The legislation encompasses both nicotine-containing and nicotine-free products.
The bill, an amendment to Poland’s tobacco control law, passed with overwhelming support: 417 lawmakers voted in favor, one opposed, and 10 abstained. The legislation now moves to the Senate for review, and if approved, will be signed into law by the president.
Beyond restricting sales to minors, the new law introduces several measures aimed at limiting the accessibility and appeal of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches:
Online Sales and Advertising Ban: The legislation prohibits the sale of these products via the internet and bans their advertising, addressing concerns about the ease with which minors can access them online.
Українські Національні Новини (УНН)
Public Use Restrictions: The use of nicotine-free e-cigarettes is now banned in all public places where nicotine-containing e-cigarettes are already prohibited, including schools, preschools, restaurants, public transport stops, and children’s playgrounds.
Sales Venue Limitations: The sale of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches is prohibited in healthcare facilities, schools, educational institutions, sports and recreational facilities, vending machines, and self-service systems.
The legislation aligns Poland’s regulations with broader European efforts to control tobacco and nicotine product use among youth. The European Union’s Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/EU) aims to improve the functioning of the internal market for tobacco and related products while ensuring a high level of health protection for European citizens.
