Austria is set to prohibit the sale of disposable e-cigarettes starting in 2027. The Ministry of Health introduced an amendment to the Tobacco Act in parliament this week, positioning Austria ahead of Germany, which is also considering a similar ban. Other countries like Belgium, France, and the UK have already implemented such restrictions.
The draft law classifies e-cigarettes as disposable if their battery cannot be recharged or if they cannot be refilled with liquid. The ban is scheduled to take effect at the end of 2026. The Ministry cites significant health risks, particularly for young people, as the primary justification. Additionally, environmental concerns and safety issues, such as the increasing number of fires in waste disposal facilities and vehicles caused by improperly discarded batteries, are key drivers for the sales ban.
