Germany is preparing to ban disposable e-cigarettes

Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider is preparing a ban on the sale of disposable e-cigarettes in Germany with the support of the Bundesrat (Federal Council) and the Bundestag (Federal Parliament). He will present a draft law to this effect sometime in 2026, the SPD MP announced after a meeting with the state environment ministers in Leipzig.[1]. Rechargeable and reusable devices would not be affected by this ban.

Health, environmental and safety concerns

While e-cigarettes produce an inhaled vapor containing fewer harmful substances than traditional cigarette smoke, doctors remind us that these products are not harmless and can lead to nicotine addiction. Furthermore, their bright colors, sweet or fruity flavors, and easy accessibility encourage young people to discover and use these products, which can be addictive and pose risks specific to their age group. Marketing strategies targeting young people to promote these products have led to a sharp increase in their use among this age group. According to a study by the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA), 6.7% of young people aged 12 to 17 had used disposable e-cigarettes in 2023 during the 30 days preceding the survey..

In addition to these public health risks, the government has environmental and safety concerns related to the batteries integrated into devices, particularly disposable ones. These disposable devices allow for between a few hundred and a few thousand puffs, after which they are empty and must be discarded. The small reservoir containing the liquid cannot be refilled, and the integrated battery is not rechargeable. In Germany, more than 60 million of these single-use products end up in the environment each year, releasing lead, cadmium, and mercury that contaminate soil and waterways. When thrown in household waste or recycling bins, their lithium batteries can cause fires in treatment and recycling centers, release toxic gases, and endanger employees. Authorities also highlight the difficulties associated with their collection and recycling.

The Federal Council had already voted in favor of banning disposable e-cigarettes in 2025., The federal government had agreed to implement the ban. Mr. Schneider has now clarified that it should come into effect soon. Rechargeable devices will not be affected by this ban.

Since the 1^er From July 2025, German consumers will be able to return their disposable electronic cigarettes to all points of sale (kiosks, gas stations, supermarkets, etc.) that sell them.

A call to quickly implement the ban in the face of an expanding market

The German e-cigarette market continues to grow: legal sales are expected to increase by a quarter in 2025 to reach approximately 2.4 billion euros, according to industry data.

In response to this situation, the environment ministers of the German states (Länder) called on the federal government, meeting in the Conference of Environment Ministers, to implement the announced ban on disposable e-cigarettes as quickly as possible. The German Environmental Aid Association (DUH) welcomes the decision of the Länder and urges the federal government to swiftly present a legally sound implementing regulation.[3].

According to Barbara Metz, managing director of DUH, a ban could have been enshrined long ago in the Tobacco Products Act or the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act, but Agriculture Minister Rainer and Environment Minister Schneider refuse to take responsibility. Each further delay, she argues, exacerbates the problems of waste, fires, and health. She has therefore called on Chancellor Merz to appoint a ministry responsible for the issue and to establish a binding and ambitious timetable for banning disposable e-cigarettes in Germany.

Other European countries, such as Belgium, France, the United Kingdom and Switzerland, have already banned these disposable products, and The Belgian health minister recently called on the European Union to extend the ban on puffs to all of them. within the framework of the revision of the European directive on tobacco products.

©Generation Without Tobacco

AD

[1]Umweltminister Schneider kündigt Verbot von Einweg-Vapes an, ntv.de, published on May 8, 2026, accessed on May 11, 2026

[2]Tim Eichler, Einweg-E-Zigaretten Verbot: Schneider kündigt Gesetz noch 2026 an, Münster Aktuell, published on May 8, 2026, accessed on May 11, 2026

[3]Bundesländer für Verbot von Einweg-Vapes: Deutsche Umwelthilfe fordert schnelles Aus der Wegwerfprodukte, Deutsche Umwelthilfe, published on May 8, 2026, accessed on May 11, 2026

National Committee Against Smoking |