E-cigarettes in Germany

Germany: Stuttgart’s customs office seized almost 300 litres of untaxed e-liquids at an event described by organisers as “Germany’s largest vape trade fair”, press reports. Officers found irregularities at 11 of the 15 stands they checked at the Hall of Vape fair. In eight cases, criminal proceedings were initiated against those responsible for the stands, with a total of €36,000 collected as security for expected fines.

Germany: Federal drugs commissioner Burkhard Blienert has called for a ban on sweet and fruity flavours for e-cigarettes, saying they make vaping more attractive, especially to young people, press reports.

Germany: The Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) has updated the list of notified e-cigarette products, which now contains 315,432 vapour products. Only products notified at least six months ago are listed.

Germany: Federal drug commissioner Burkhard Blienert has called for stricter rules on tobacco advertising, including e-cigarettes, after a survey of 1,383 people conducted by the Federal Drug Commission found that three-quarters supported a complete ban on tobacco advertising and sponsorship. “The over-presence of large-scale advertising for alcohol, for tobacco and e-cigarettes at kiosks and petrol stations, and for gambling on television, is a major problem for Germany’s consumer protection, youth and health policies,” Blienert said. “Politicians can’t ignore that any longer.”

Germany: The Federal Joint Committee responsible for determining which medications are available through health insurance has told ECigIntelligence that it has not yet decided whether e-cigarettes will be accepted as a smoking cessation medication. Deliberations are continuing and no deadline for a decision has been given.

Germany: The Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) has updated the list of notified e-cigarette products, which now contains 310,464 vapour products. Only products notified at least six months ago are listed.

Germany: Customs officers have have seized 4.4 litres of untaxed e-liquids during an inspection in Potsdam, near Berlin. They found seven out of ten retailers failed to comply with the current Tobacco Tax Law. E-liquids have been taxed since 1st July 2022 and the transitional period allowing the sale of old stock ended on 12th February 2023.

Germany: Customs officers have seized 46 l of e-liquids and 40 counterfeit e-cigarettes in the Rhine-Neckar region of northwest Baden-Württemberg, on which a total of about €7,500 tax had gone unpaid. E-liquids have been taxed in Germany since 1st July 2022, and all old untaxed old stock should have been sold by 12th February 2023.