The Polish Ministry of Health has announced its determination to introduce a ban on the use of single-use e-cigarettes, citing the need for comprehensive measures to effectively address the issue. During a joint meeting of the Senate Committees on Health and Climate and Environment on March 19, Deputy Health Minister Wojciech Konieczny revealed that the ministry is already preparing draft legislation to prohibit the use of such products.
Draft Legislation in the Works, Potential Expansion of Ban
Konieczny stated that the draft legislation could be submitted for public consultation in the coming weeks. He acknowledged that the implementation of the ban would require a notification period of approximately six months within the European Union, as well as additional time for the regulations to come into effect.
The deputy minister also indicated that the ban might be extended to include the introduction of single-use e-cigarettes or substance heaters that do not contain tobacco into the market. Additionally, the Ministry of Health is developing a legal act to implement the directive on flavored e-cigarettes, which was supposed to be introduced in the country by November at the latest.
Addressing Both Tobacco-Containing and Tobacco-Free Devices
Konieczny clarified that the debate during the committee meeting concerned two distinct issues: devices that contain tobacco, which are subject to tobacco legislation, and those that do not, which fall under general product safety regulations.
While the ministry is currently processing the ban on single-use e-cigarettes, it is also considering additional measures that could be introduced alongside the ban. These may include prohibiting the use of such devices in vehicles with young children or pregnant women, banning their advertising, standardizing packaging, and introducing greater control capabilities.
Effective Enforcement Crucial to Combat Youth Addiction
The deputy minister emphasized that a ban that is effectively enforced is essential. He noted that among European countries, France is awaiting EU notification for a similar ban. He also pointed out that even countries that produce these devices, such as India and China, have already introduced bans on their use within their own borders.
Beata Małecka-Libera (KO), chairwoman of the Senate Health Committee, called for immediate enforcement of currently applicable regulations, such as exceeding the capacity of these devices beyond 2 milliliters and ensuring the appropriate amount of nicotine in the solution, without waiting for the ban to be implemented. In her opinion, the devices currently in use serve as young people's first contact with tobacco and provide an easy path to addiction.
Senate Committees Urge Swift Action
The Senate committees adopted a resolution obliging the Ministry of Health to establish a team, or working group, involving other institutions, with the aim of urgently withdrawing all such products that do not comply with current statutory provisions from the market.
As the Polish Ministry of Health moves forward with its plans to ban single-use e-cigarettes and potentially expand the scope of the ban, the urgency of the situation cannot be overstated. With the growing concern over the role these devices play in facilitating youth addiction to tobacco, comprehensive and effectively enforced measures are crucial to protecting public health.
