Polish government plans to ban single-use e-cigarette sales
Almost all consumers of flavoured disposable e-cigarettes in Poland are underaged, a report shows. In response to the alarming rise of e-cigarette use among minors, Warsaw is drafting legislation to ban their use.
Disposable e-cigarettes are devices equipped with non-replaceable batteries, designed for approximately 700–800 puffs per unit. They typically retail for less than 30 PLN (€7) and come pre-filled with a variety of flavoured heating liquids. That usually includes nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerin, and flavourings.
“Disposable electronic cigarettes, with their distinctive shape, colour, and a variety of over 7,500 characteristic flavours, are attractive products for youth,” the Ministry of Health told Euractiv.
Sweet as candy or harmful as smoke?
While the sale of e-cigarettes to minors is prohibited, the report from the Institute for Forecasting and Economic Analysis (IPAG) indicates that a staggering 97 per cent of flavoured disposable e-cigarette consumers in Poland are, in fact, under the age of 18.
This trend persists due to the affordability and visually appealing nature of these products, coupled with the wide variety of available flavours.
Moreover, the report shows that the majority of sales occur through distribution channels lacking proper monitoring, such as online sales, which contributes to the growth of an illegal market.
According to 2022 data from provided to Euractiv by the Polish Ministry of Health, approximately 23.4% of girls and 21.2% of boys aged 13-15 reported using electronic cigarettes. “This prevalence places Polish adolescents at the forefront among European Union countries concerning the usage of electronic cigarettes,” the Ministry added.
Health impact
The complete impact of inhaling the substances present in disposable e-cigarette liquids is still not entirely understood. Even if disposable e-cigarettes do not contain nicotine at all, they may still pose health risks.
The Ministry of Health warns on its website that because all the substances in the e-liquid are heated by the coil, it is important to study the properties of these compounds after heating.
Based on studies cited by the ministry, higher temperatures can render glycerine and propylene glycol toxic.
Furthermore, Polish scientists have demonstrated that benzaldehyde, a primary ingredient in fruit-flavoured e-cigarettes, can irritate the airways and have a toxic effect when inhaled into the lungs.
China is the world’s largest producer of e-cigarettes. Nevertheless, due to health concerns, especially regarding their use by underage individuals, the Chinese government implemented a ban on the sale of disposable fruit-flavoured e-cigarettes in October 2022.
Meanwhile, in Poland, sales of single-use e-cigarettes are booming. According to data from the Ministry of Health, in 2022, 14.66 million disposable, flavoured e-cigarettes were sold in Poland. However, an IPAG report suggests that the actual sales of these products in Poland have already reached 100 million in 2023 (208% more than a year earlier).
Besides health concerns, environmental factors must also be considered. Greenpeace reports that discarded single-use e-cigarettes often end up in landfills, where they emit harmful substances. Their batteries contain lithium, which poses environmental risks, and their casings contribute to the release of microplastics. Moreover, the construction of disposable e-cigarettes makes recycling virtually impossible.
Unknown ban timeline
For these reasons, an increasing number of European countries are already working to restrict sales of single-use e-cigarettes. These include, for example, the UK, France, Ireland and Germany. Poland is also about to join this group – the Minister of Health, Izabela Leszczyna, has announced that Prime Minister Donald Tusk has given her the ‘green light’ to ban the sale of disposable, flavoured e-cigarettes.
During her visit to Radio Trojka, she stated, “These cigarettes are indeed a scourge, and we will especially protect young people.”
The Patient Ombudsman, Bartłomiej Chmielowiec, told Euractiv that he supports the idea of banning the sale of disposable e-cigarettes. “At the same time, it is worth remembering the need for ongoing education about the health risks associated with the use of e-cigarettes and other nicotine-containing products. A group that should be given special protection are young people,” he added.
However, neither the method of implementing the ban nor the expected timeframe are known yet. When asked about this by Euractiv, the ministry responded only, “We are analysing the possibilities of implementing fast and effective legislative solutions in this matter.”
[By Paulina Mazolewska, Edited by Vasiliki Angouridi, Brian Maguire | Euractiv’s Advocacy Lab]
Read more with Euractiv
