Numerous European countries are contemplating banning e-cigarettes. France has announced that it will ban disposable vapes as part of its national plan to tackle smoking. This ban is slated for enactment before the end of the year. [1]
Belgium has already prohibited online sales while Ireland is engaged in a nationwide consultation around the potential bans. Meanwhile in Germany, the government has taken the step of prohibiting flavoured e-cigarettes and their drug commissioner has plans to regulate the packaging and design of e-cigarettes in an attempt to decrease their appeal to young people. [2]
New Zealand has also banned the sale of certain types of vapes by limiting sales to those that have removeable and replaceable batteries, so that those who are transitioning from smoking cigarettes are still able to buy e-cigarettes. [1] New Zealand was the first country to prohibit the sale of cigarettes by anyone born after 2009 in an attempt to be “smoke free” by the year 2025. New Zealand recorded an 8% drop in smoking rates last year, the lowest rates of smoking ever recorded. However, vaping has been increasing to much higher rates. [3]
The FDA in the US has banned the popular e-cigarette brand, Juul’s products from being sold by requiring products to be approved for sale. This ban has since been put on hold while their marketing is being reviewed. In 2019, the legal age for the use of e-cigarettes was raised from 18 to 21. [4]
[1] Guardian article [2] Guardian article [3] Guardian article [4] FDA
