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E-cigarette laws in 34 European countries

E-cigarette laws in 34 European countries

2022-06-10

European countries have different attitudes towards e-cigarettes, and relevant laws also have their own merits…


For most people, the richness and diversity of travel is a major catalyst for our progress, but when it comes to vaping, the various terms and different regulations are a hindrance.


There are countries like the United Kingdom that use e-cigarettes as a means to achieve smoke-free, there are also countries that completely ban the sale of e-cigarettes and related accessories, and some countries don’t even supervise e-cigarettes and e-liquids, which means that electronic cigarettes sold locally. Cigarettes have not been screened and tested in any way and pose considerable potential risks to consumers.


The following summarizes the legal provisions related to electronic cigarettes in European countries for your reference!


Austria: Banned the sale of e-cigarettes to youth under 18, the same laws apply to e-cigarettes and cigarettes in general. It is also illegal to use e-cigarettes in a vehicle with a youth under the age of 18.


Azerbaijan: Electronic cigarettes are regulated as tobacco products and their use in public places is restricted.


Belgium: Ban the sale of e-cigarettes to children under 16. All forms of e-cigarette advertising and sponsorship are prohibited, with certain exceptions. Electronic cigarettes are restricted in public and subject to the same laws as cigarettes.


Bulgaria: E-cigarettes are subject to the same laws as cigarettes, and the sale or supply of e-cigarettes to minors (under 18) is strictly prohibited.


Croatia: Laws on e-cigarettes also apply to tobacco, which means banning the use of e-cigarettes in public places and banning the sale of e-cigarettes to persons under the age of 18.


Cyprus: Under the health protection law, e-cigarettes are prohibited from being sold to persons under the age of 18, and it is also illegal to use e-cigarettes in vehicles with pregnant women or minors.

Czech Republic: E-cigarettes to be sold must comply with relevant legal regulations and requirements, and e-cigarette advertisements must not contain any inducing elements.


Denmark: Ban the sale of e-cigarettes to persons under the age of 18 and ban the use of e-cigarettes in public places. Any vaping-related advertising, promotions and sponsorships are prohibited, and a written application is required for any establishment doing vaping-related work.


United Kingdom: E-cigarettes can be marketed as pharmaceuticals or consumer products. E-cigarette products sold as pharmaceuticals must go through rigorous audits, and when the company passes the audit, it means their products can also be sold as consumer products. E-cigarettes follow the same regime as tobacco, which prohibits the use of e-cigarettes in public.


Estonia: E-cigarettes are classified as tobacco products, banned from sale to persons under the age of 18, prohibited from using e-cigarettes by minors, and banned e-cigarettes in all public places.


Finland: Classified as tobacco products, e-cigarettes cannot be sold through vending machines, sales of e-cigarettes and related products to persons under the age of 18 are strictly prohibited, and all advertising and promotional activities are prohibited, even offline sales of e-cigarettes in-store. E-cigarettes are also banned in vehicles with children under 15.


France: Banned sales to those under 18 and banned the use of e-cigarettes in public places such as train stations and closed offices.


Georgia: E-cigarettes are classified as tobacco products in Georgia and are not allowed to be sold to persons under the age of 18, in addition, the sale of e-cigarettes online is also restricted and is expected to be banned in public places and public transport in the future use.


Germany: E-cigarettes are subject to the same laws as tobacco products and are prohibited from being sold to persons under the age of 18. Its advertising is restricted on most media platforms such as print media, commercials and TV, but billboards are allowed.


Greece: Attitudes to e-cigarettes are the same as for cigarettes, restrictions on e-cigarette advertising apply to print media, radio, television and the Internet, and sales to persons under the age of 18 are prohibited.


Hungary: E-cigarettes are classified as consumer products and can be purchased in tobacco stores.


Iceland: E-cigarettes generally follow the same regulations as cigarettes under the EU Tobacco Products Directive.


Italy: Under the same regulations as tobacco, e-cigarettes cannot be sold to persons under the age of 18, and their use in schools and campuses is prohibited.


Latvia: Promotion and advertising of e-cigarettes is banned on many platforms, including electronic media.

Lithuania: E-cigarettes are classified as tobacco products, cannot be sold to persons under the age of 18, and all advertising and promotions are banned.


Luxembourg: The sale of products to persons under the age of 18 is prohibited, the use of electronic cigarettes in certain public places where minors may be present is prohibited, and the use of e-cigarettes in vehicles with children under the age of 12 is also not allowed.


Moldova: Prohibited sale to persons under 18, prohibited use in public places and on public transport.


Norway: Ban the sale of e-cigarettes to those under 18 and ban their use in public places.


Poland: Prohibition of advertising, promotion and related sponsorship related to e-cigarettes, sale to persons under the age of 18 or use in public places.


Portugal: Banned use in public places and public transport, while also facing various advertising restrictions. The sale of e-cigarettes to minors under the age of 18 is prohibited.


Romania: E-cigarettes are considered the same product as tobacco products, and both are subject to the same laws.


Serbia: Relatively friendly to e-cigarettes, the only restriction is a ban on e-cigarette advertising, promotion and sponsorship.


Slovakia: Under tobacco product laws, e-cigarettes and related products must display the same standard health warnings as cigarettes and, likewise, should be kept away from children.


Slovenia: E-cigarettes are classified as tobacco products and must display health warnings related to smoking. Ban the sale of e-cigarettes to children under the age of 18, and ban the use of e-cigarettes in vehicles where children under the age of 18 may be present. It is also prohibited in public places and on public transport.


Spain: E-cigarettes are defined as "devices capable of releasing nicotine", and there are a series of standards and regulations for listed e-cigarettes. Its packaging should not contain any misleading (healthy lifestyle or benefits) claims.

Sweden: Subject to the Electronic Cigarettes and Refillable Containers Act, vaping devices and cartridges must comply with the design provisions stipulated by the law. Age verification is required for in-store and online purchases, and sales to adults under the age of 18 are strictly prohibited.


Switzerland: Non-nicotine e-cigarettes are regulated to be sold as food, but the sale of nicotine e-cigarettes is prohibited, import and export for personal consumption is permitted, but limited to 150ml capacity.


Turkey: Legislation makes e-cigarettes the same as tobacco products and restricts sales to those under 19. Advertising, promotion and sponsorship of e-cigarettes is prohibited, and you may be arrested if you use e-cigarettes in public places or on public transport.


Ukraine: Classified as electronic cigarettes, use in public places, public transport and certain places is prohibited.


It should be noted that all countries in the European Union, including the United Kingdom, are bound by the Tobacco Products Act, which stipulates the laws, regulations, production and sales of e-cigarettes and related products, which must meet certain standards before they can be sold to consumers.


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