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With France and Belgium already acting on banning disposable vape products, Poland is poised to be the next in line.
Poland’s Ministry of Health is advancing legislation that would impose a complete ban on nicotine-containing and nicotine-free single-use vapes, raising the question: Is this the beginning of a wider European trend to phase out disposable vapes in favour of stricter public health measures?
If other European countries follow suit, the impact on the vaping industry could be profound. A ban on disposable e-cigarettes in the European Union could potentially set a precedent that would ripple across Europe, with varying degrees of restriction in different countries. The EU’s legislative landscape on tobacco and nicotine products will likely continue to evolve as more countries assess the effectiveness of such bans in reducing public health risks.
Poland’s move to ban disposable vapes fits into the government’s broader effort to cut down on the sale of alternative tobacco products. According to the Polish government, disposable e-cigarettes have become increasingly popular due to their relatively low cost and ease of use, which make them attractive to both under-age users and adults. These products have been legally available on the Polish market for years, but the Ministry of Health believes that their availability, combined with appealing flavours, is driving up use among younger demographics.
Pro and con arguments include cost and revenue
The proposed bill, expected to be introduced in the third quarter of 2025, will prohibit not only disposable vapes but also flavoured nicotine pouches, aiming to curb the accessibility of products that have become increasingly attractive to young people and even non-smokers.
Polish officials argue that the low prices of disposable vapes are partly responsible for their rising popularity, claiming that these products are often priced similarly to cigarettes but have a much longer shelf life in terms of nicotine content and usage. For example, a single disposable e-cigarette can be priced between PLN20 (€4.80) and PLN35 (€8.40), which is equivalent to two to three packs of traditional cigarettes.
Przemysław Jaskóła, spokesperson for the Vaping Association of Poland, has warned that the ban could negatively affect tax revenues and jobs created by the legal sale of vaping products. Furthermore, he has suggested that the decision to ban disposables does not take into account scientific data or a comparative evaluation of the harms posed by different categories of products. He argues that this move could push the market underground, leading to potential growth in illegal sales and a loss of tax revenues.
The Polish bill is expected to pass easily
Poland’s plan to prohibit disposable vapes follows in the footsteps of France, which has already introduced a sweeping ban on these products. The French government justified the ban as a measure to curb youth vaping, particularly the use of flavoured e-cigarettes, which are highly attractive to younger consumers. A similar ban was introduced in Belgium, after an attempt in 2021 was blocked by the European Commission under the 2014 EU Tobacco Products Directive.
For Poland, the success of the proposed ban will likely depend on the political landscape. With a ruling government coalition in place and strong parliamentary support, the ban is expected to pass smoothly through the legislative process. However, the implications for both public health and the vaping industry will be significant, with potential shifts in consumer behaviour, economic impact and enforcement challenges ahead.
These decisions in Belgium and France, and now Poland, mirror a broader trend emerging across Europe, like in Ireland, where health minister Stephen Donnelly secured Cabinet approval in September last year to draft legislation banning flavoured and disposable vapes. The UK, no longer an EU member, also has a ban due to come into effect at the beginning of June.
While the rationale for such bans is often framed around protecting public health, particularly among young people, the long-term effects of these policies – both positive and negative – remain to be seen. The trend towards tighter regulations may be gaining momentum, but whether these measures will ultimately reduce harm or create new challenges for both consumers and the industry is still an open question.
– Antonia Di Lorenzo ECigIntelligence staff
Photo: Sylwia Bartyzel
