On Wednesday (June 11), the Polish Senate unanimously adopted an amendment to the anti-tobacco law, which introduces a complete ban on the sale of e-cigarettes, nicotine products, and nicotine pouches to individuals under 18 years of age in Poland. The amendment also includes a ban on the sale of these products via the internet, vending machines, and their promotion and advertising. The ban also applies to the use of nicotine-free e-cigarettes in public places – in schools, bus stops, restaurants, and playgrounds.
Key changes in the amendment:
- Ban on selling e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches to people under 18 years of age, regardless of whether they contain nicotine or not.
- Ban on selling nicotine-free products via the internet, vending machines, and self-service systems.
- Ban on advertising and promoting these products.
- Ban on using nicotine-free e-cigarettes in public places.
- Maintaining existing requirements for nicotine products.
- Increased supervision of the composition of nicotine-free liquids – they must be safe and not contain carcinogenic substances.
- Introduction of a new status for nicotine pouches – they will be classified as “products for oral use” with a limited nicotine content (maximum 20 mg/g).
Justification for the amendment:
Deputy Minister of Health Wojciech Konieczny emphasized that the new regulations aim to dissuade young people from using e-cigarettes and other new forms of nicotine products. As he argued, the threat posed by nicotine-free products is no less than that from those containing nicotine. The amendment also introduces new sales rules for other nicotine products, such as gums, sprays, and tablets, which will be treated as medicines.
Additional changes on the horizon:
A new draft of the anti-tobacco law will soon be submitted for public consultation, which:
- Introduces a total ban on the sale of disposable e-cigarettes (with and without nicotine),
- Removes nicotine pouches with flavorings (except tobacco) from the market,
- Introduces new sales rules for other nicotine products, such as gums, and links them to medicines.
- Mandates testing the composition of e-cigarette liquids.
Impact on society and the industry:
According to information from the Ministry of Health, the new regulations aim to prevent the increase in the number of young people using e-cigarettes, which could lead to addiction and harmful effects on health. The industry has nine months to sell existing stocks, which may affect its development in the near future.
The amendment to the law comes into effect before the summer, before it reaches the President of the Republic of Poland for signature. As the next transformation in the field of tobacco regulation in Poland, we expect new solutions to be revealed soon as part of the EU reform.
