Polish Health Minister Izabela Leszczyna has announced sweeping new regulations targeting e-cigarette sales during a recent Polsat News interview. The legislation will extend current restrictions to include all types of electronic cigarettes, including nicotine-free devices, effective January 1, 2025.
The Health Ministry aims to close a significant regulatory gap in the current tobacco law. While existing legislation prohibits selling nicotine-containing e-cigarettes to minors, it does not address nicotine-free products. Minister Leszczyna emphasized that despite marketing tactics featuring fruity flavors like watermelon and strawberry, all e-cigarettes pose addiction risks.
The new legislation introduces comprehensive restrictions that include:
- A complete ban on sales to individuals under 18
- Prohibition of online and vending machine sales
- Elimination of all advertising and promotional activities
- Implementation of strict usage location limitations
- Mandatory product registration with the Chemical Substances Bureau
- Enhanced packaging and labeling requirements
Health officials express particular concern about nicotine-free liquids, which they believe present comparable risks to nicotine products. According to the ministry's assessment, these products serve as potential gateway devices to tobacco use among young people, warranting equal regulatory scrutiny.
The legislation, which modifies the 1995 Tobacco Products Act, will take effect three months after official publication. Minister Leszczyna stated, "We must protect our youth from developing harmful addictions through these seemingly innocuous products."
