The Netherlands has banned the sale of vapes with frivolous flavors, restricting the market to tobacco-flavored products only, as stated in the Staatscourant, the Dutch government gazette. The measure, set to take effect on October 1, 2023, aims to make e-cigarettes less attractive to young people.
Exotic flavors such as lemon twist, strawberry cream, or brain freeze lower the threshold for youth to start vaping compared to traditional cigarettes. While e-cigarettes are considered less harmful than their analog counterparts, vaping still poses health risks, making it crucial to discourage widespread use among young people.
Dutch State Secretary Proposed Flavor Ban in 2020
Dutch State Secretary Paul Blokhuis first proposed the idea of banning flavored vapes in 2020. After some delay, the ban will come into effect next year, with the production of tobacco-flavored vapes only allowed from July 1, 2023, and the complete removal of flavored products from the market by October 1.
Belgian High Health Council Opposes Similar Ban
In Belgium, the High Health Council acknowledges the potential harm e-cigarettes can cause, especially among youth. However, they do not support a similar ban on flavors, hoping to help more smokers quit through this alternative, according to oncologist and professor Filip Lardon on Twitter.
Lardon suggests that a ban on flavors specifically targeting youth, such as bubblegum, lemonade, candy, popcorn, pancakes, and cotton candy, would be a good option, sending a clear message to the tobacco lobby.
Experts Question Effectiveness of E-Cigarettes for Smoking Cessation
Esther Croes, an expert at Trimbos, challenges the claim that e-cigarettes effectively help traditional smokers quit, stating on Dutch broadcaster NOS that research shows only a few individuals benefit from this method.
Instead, Croes observes that most smokers who start using e-cigarettes become "dual users," consuming both tobacco cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Research indicates that using both products only increases health risks.
As the Netherlands moves towards a smoke-free generation, State Secretary Blokhuis emphasized in 2020 that this generation should also be e-cigarette-free, with no place for e-cigarettes with enticing, exotic flavors.
