In Slovenia, a ban on all flavored e-cigarettes has come into effect.

In Slovenia, new regulations have come into force, banning the sale of all flavored e-cigarettes and refills, whether sweet, savory, or herbal, and whether or not they contain nicotine.[1]Only tobacco flavors are now permitted, provided they contain only one of the 16 substances approved by the Ministry of Health. This measure stems from legislation banning flavors in e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, as well as smoking areas in bars and airports, adopted in May 2024 by the Slovenian National Assembly.[2].

Ban on flavored e-cigarettes becomes effective

This initiative aims to protect public health, particularly that of young people, since the consumption of flavored e-cigarettes among minors has increased by up to 200 % in three years.[3].

" Studies show that e-cigarettes are also used by children aged 9 to 11. It's important to know that they are harmful to health and contain carcinogenic compounds. The main substance is nicotine, which affects the heart, blood vessels, lungs, and brain development, and is also addictive. ", warned Vesna Marinko, director of the Public Health Department.

With this measure, Slovenia is aligning itself with other European Union countries that have already banned or restricted flavored vaping products: Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Denmark, the Netherlands and Hungary.

Severe sanctions and increased controls

Slovenia also announced a significant increase in controls to enforce this ban. Inspections will be carried out by the Health Inspectorate and the Financial Administration, which will take samples, verify product compliance, and remove from the market those that do not comply with the regulations.

The penalties are severe: any person or company that sells or offers prohibited products for free, including online, is liable to a fine of between €3,000 and €5,000. Individuals who purchase these products online may also be fined between €125 and €5,000.

Furthermore, Slovenia has been engaged in a continuous policy aimed at reducing smoking in the country in recent years. It is estimated that with almost a quarter, or 24% of the adult population, consuming tobacco, and 20% of deaths among those over 30 attributable to smoking, Slovenia currently has 427,000 smokers.[4].

The country has decided to expand these enforcement actions regarding the laws in force. Thus, monitoring compliance with the smoking ban in enclosed public places, playgrounds, and open spaces in schools and kindergartens will be strengthened. Inspections will be conducted on city buses, in cooperation with the police and municipal officials, with the stated aim of ensuring better protection of citizens' health.

After the adoption of the plain cigarette pack on 1^er January 2020[5], in accordance with the implementation guidelines of Article 11 and Article 13 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), Slovenia is also part, along with fifteen other countries, of the EU members who sent a letter to the European Commission urging it to introduce taxation on vaping products December 9, 2024. The signatories stressed the importance of tax harmonization at European level to address disparities between Member States and strengthen the fight against smoking and vaping products.

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[1]Nova.rs, The next step is to take a new step, then take the next step – it’s about 5,000 euros., published on April 28, 2025, accessed on April 30, 2025

[2]Tobacco-free generation, Slovenia bans flavours for e-cigarettes, published May 25, 2024, accessed April 30, 2025

[3]Tanjug, The product range is 5,000 euros per e-cigarette aroma and Slovenian aroma., nin.rs, published April 28, 2025, accessed April 30, 2025

[4]Tobacco-free generation, Focus on Slovenia, activist in the fight against tobacco, published July 3, 2020, accessed April 30, 2025

[5]Tobacco-free generation, Laos adopts plain packaging for cigarettes, published October 9, 2024, accessed April 30, 2025

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