Poland wants to ban disposable e-cigarettes and nicotine sachet flavors

The Polish government has submitted a draft law that would ban disposable e-cigarettes, both nicotine-containing and nicotine-free, as well as flavorings in nicotine pouches. The bill, now on the agenda of the Standing Committee of the Council of Ministers meeting on Thursday, December 11, 2025, is based on growing concern about the rapid increase in the use of these products among adolescents and young adults. The Ministry of Health cites recent warnings from the WHO about the risks associated with nicotine addiction and substances whose long-term effects remain insufficiently documented.

The Ministry of Health, which initiated the bill, emphasizes that the proposed measures primarily aim to protect young people from increasing exposure to nicotine products and the resulting risk of addiction.[1]. The institution cites several recent reports from the World Health Organization, which warn of the health risks associated with nicotine pouches and the rapid increase in e-cigarette use among adolescents. Data from the 2022 Global Youth Tobacco Survey confirm this worrying trend in Poland, where 22.3% of young people aged 12 to 15 report using e-cigarettes, with a slightly higher prevalence among girls (23.4%) than boys (21.2%). For the Ministry, these indicators justify swift regulatory intervention to limit access to products that are particularly attractive to minors and to prevent the development of early addiction.

A ban on disposable e-cigarettes and stricter regulation of new nicotine products

The proposed law aims to ban all disposable e-cigarettes, whether containing nicotine or not, in order to reduce the accessibility of a product that is particularly attractive to young people. The government believes that these devices, offered at a low cost and available in a wide variety of flavors, contribute to a rapid initiation into nicotine use. Authorities also point out that disposable e-cigarettes often contain high levels of nicotine as well as components whose health effects are still poorly understood.

Beyond disposable electronic devices, the text also addresses the regulation of new nicotine products, particularly nicotine pouches. The government aims to limit the rapid diversification of these products and proposes authorizing only flavors that mimic the taste of tobacco, in order to reduce the appeal of fruity, sweet, or menthol flavors to young people. This approach also applies to other forms of nicotine products, such as gums, lozenges, sprays, and drinks: their marketing would only be permitted within a pharmaceutical framework, after evaluation and registration confirming their safety and efficacy. The objective is to prevent the circulation of products with poorly understood toxicological profiles and to avoid the rapid emergence of new, unregulated categories.

A strengthened scientific monitoring system

The proposed law aims to equip Polish authorities with new tools to assess and control the composition of nicotine products on the market. The text assigns the President of the Office of Chemical Substances a central role in implementing a strengthened monitoring system designed to better document the ingredients used in all e-cigarettes and emerging nicotine products.[2]. This mission includes the possibility of ordering independent analyses of vaping e-liquids, flavors and formulations contained in new devices, in order to detect the presence of potentially toxic, addictive or non-compliant substances.

The laboratories authorized to conduct these analyses must be specifically designated in an official list, guaranteeing a high level of competence, transparency towards manufacturers, and reliable results. This approach aims to harmonize the quality of controls, while ensuring that the scientific findings can be used to guide future regulatory decisions.

Strengthening surveillance addresses several challenges identified by the authorities. Firstly, the market for e-cigarettes and new nicotine products is evolving extremely rapidly, with the regular appearance of imported products or products marketed without prior approval. Secondly, the actual composition of many liquids remains uncertain, as some international analyses have already identified discrepancies between labeling and the substances actually present. By enabling continuous and scientifically based surveillance, the Polish government aims to strengthen consumer protection, improve market transparency, and have independent assessment data to adapt regulations according to observed risks.

The proposed mechanism, based on multiple technical analyses and the involvement of designated laboratories, appears complex and potentially costly compared to other, more direct approaches, such as the outright ban on new products already adopted by some countries. Such a structure could lead to the allocation of financial and operational resources to demanding evaluation procedures, at the expense of more immediately effective actions in prevention or control. This limitation underscores the need for Polish authorities to ensure a balance between oversight, regulatory clarity, and the optimal allocation of public resources.

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[1] Polish Government Plans Ban on Flavored Nicotine Pouches and Disposable E-Cigarettes, 2 firsts, published on December 5, 2025, accessed on December 8, 2025

[2] Poland Plans Total Prohibition of Single-Use Vapes to Protect Youth, 2 firsts, published on November 25, 2025, accessed on December 8, 2025