Polish President Andrzej Duda has signed into law an amendment that introduces a complete ban on the sale of all types of electronic cigarettes (vapes) and nicotine pouches to individuals under the age of 18. Crucially, the ban on e-cigarettes applies regardless of whether the products contain nicotine.
The new legislation, which amends the Act on Health Protection against the Consequences of Using Tobacco, aims to limit youth access to nicotine and nicotine-imitating products. The law also prohibits online sales and vending machine sales of these items to minors and bans their advertising. Furthermore, it extends the public use ban to include nicotine-free e-cigarettes in all places where smoking is already forbidden, such as public transport stops, schools, restaurants, and playgrounds.
Retailers will be required to display a mandatory warning stating that the sale of tobacco products, nicotine pouches, and e-cigarettes to persons under 18 is prohibited. The law also establishes a maximum nicotine content for nicotine pouches, capping it at 20 milligrams per gram. The legislation will take effect 14 days after its official publication.
