The minimum age for purchasing cigarettes, vapes, and other nicotine products in the Netherlands could increase from 18 to 21, according to a new proposal published by the Ministry of Health on Wednesday. The Cabinet is also considering the introduction of higher fines for those caught selling vapes illegally.
The announcement comes as the Netherlands has seen an increase in the number of young people vaping in recent years. In 2023, almost a quarter of young people between 12 and 16 years old had tried vaping. "The presence of nicotine makes vapes highly addictive. This is not surprising: nicotine is the most addictive drug in existence after heroin and crack," the ministry said, citing a report from health institute RIVM.
The fine for a first-time offense of selling vapes online could be substantially increased, according to the proposal. Currently, the fine is about 1,300 euros. Flavored e-cigarettes have been banned since last year, but flavored vapes are readily available despite being illegal. And although tobacco products are no longer allowed to be sold through web shops, the trade in tobacco products is booming online.
The plan would also ban the sale of accessories that make nicotine products more attractive, such as flavored vape tips. It also includes measures to reduce the number of places where vapes can be purchased and to require them to be sold in plain packaging.
Dutch State Secretary for Youth, Prevention and Sport Vincent Karremans announced the proposal as part of a larger plan to achieve a smoke-free and nicotine-free generation by 2040. He said the government will increase resources for law enforcement to crack down on the illegal vape trade and will launch a communication campaign in 2025 to educate parents about the dangers of vaping. Karremans wants to earmark three million euros for this purpose
“The figures from the Dutch Society of Pediatrics [NVK] show that in 2024 at least 14 children ended up in hospital after vaping with serious conditions such as a collapsed lung or a pulmonary hemorrhage,” stated the report Karremans submitted to Parliament on Wednesday. “It is not normal for children and young people to use nicotine in any form. I therefore see an important task for the government to protect young people against addiction to tobacco, vaping and new nicotine products.”
One key issue is that e-cigarettes are not yet treated socially with the same measure of concern as tobacco products, Karremans claimed. Parents and children need to be better educated about the likelihood of getting hooked on vaping, and how problematic that can be in the long run.
“We do not want young people to come into contact with vapes or other nicotine products, because otherwise they run the risk of a lifelong nicotine addiction and associated health damage,” the report states. “Moreover, there is a strong overlap between vaping and traditional smoking: almost 70 percent of young people who vape monthly also smoke cigarettes, and that combination is even more harmful than smoking or vaping alone.”
The Dutch government will also look at the possibility of introducing a levy on the tobacco industry to pay for prevention and public health programs, the state secretary said.
Smoking & vaping age limit could increase from 18 to 21; Higher fines for illegal vapes
The minimum age for purchasing cigarettes, vapes, and other nicotine products in the Netherlands could increase from 18 to 21, according to a new proposal published by the Ministry of Health on Wednesday. The Cabinet is also considering the introduction of higher fines for those caught selling...
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