The German federal government is actively preparing a ban on disposable e-cigarettes (vapes), marking a significant shift in its stance after years of hesitation. Despite the rising cost of traditional cigarettes, which now average €9 per pack compared to €4.50 fifteen years ago, millions of Germans still smoke. However, it is the cheap, colorful, and increasingly popular disposable vapes that are now in the regulatory crosshairs.
Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter, Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for the Environment, confirmed during a Bundesrat debate on November 21, 2025, that the government is preparing a prohibition. This move is driven by severe environmental and safety concerns. Over 60 million single-use vapes are used annually in Germany. Their lithium-ion batteries, often improperly disposed of in household waste, pose a major fire risk. The Federal Association of the German Waste Management Industry (BDE) reports 30 fires daily in garbage trucks and sorting plants, with 80% attributed to batteries like those in vapes.
While environmental groups and waste management associations have long demanded a ban, implementation faces hurdles. Germany likely cannot act unilaterally and requires European Union approval, as seen with similar attempts by France and Belgium. If the EU grants permission, these cheap disposable options will vanish from shelves, leaving consumers with only more expensive traditional cigarettes or reusable vaping devices.
