National Council passes ban on disposable e-cigarettes and new restrictions on nicotine pouches

Criticism from the FPÖ

The parliamentary debate was controversial. Criticism came in particular from the FPÖ, which considered individual provisions as going too far. The FPÖ member of parliament Christoph Steiner, for example, turned against the planned disposable ban on children's playgrounds. Wenn ich das Tabakerzeugnis, das E-Liquid, dann wegwerfe irgendwo im Volksgarten oder so, ist es dann wieder wurscht, he said.

Supporters from the governing coalition parties and the Greens, by contrast, pointed to the health risks of nicotine-containing products for young people. The extension of the regulations to tobacco-free nicotine products was necessary because these products had previously been traded in a grey zone between food and tobacco law.

Impact on trade

The new rules also provide for restrictions in mail-order trade. Certain nicotine-containing products are accordingly to be subject to restrictions on online distribution in the future. This is intended to prevent young people from obtaining the relevant products through mail order.

With the adopted measures, the existing tobacco and nicotine regulation is being expanded. The government is thereby following international trends that aim at stronger regulation of disposable products and new nicotine products. Observers see this as a response to the sharp rise in sales of disposable e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches in recent years.

The new provisions will enter into force after the usual period. Until then, retailers must adjust their distribution channels and ensure that nicotine-containing products are not distributed to under-18s. The responsible authorities announced that compliance with the new regulations would be monitored more intensively.