Netherlands proposes raising e-cigarette purchase age to 21
Under a new proposal released by the Ministry of Health on Wednesday (March 12), the minimum age to buy cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and other nicotine products in the Netherlands could be raised from 18 to 21. The cabinet is also considering higher fines fo
Under a new proposal released by the Ministry of Health on Wednesday (March 12), the minimum age for purchasing cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and other nicotine products in the Netherlands could be raised from 18 to 21. The cabinet is also considering higher fines for illegal e-cigarette sales, along with measures to reduce the number of places where e-cigarettes can be purchased and require e-cigarettes to be sold in plain packaging.
According to the Dutch newspaper NL Times, the announcement comes as the number of young people vaping in the Netherlands has increased in recent years. In 2023, nearly one in four people aged 12 to 16 had tried vaping. The Ministry of Health cited a report from the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), saying: “E-cigarettes contain nicotine and are therefore highly addictive. This is not surprising: nicotine is the most addictive drug after heroin and crack cocaine.”
Under the proposal, the initial fine for online e-cigarette sales would increase sharply by 1,300 euros. Although flavored products are banned and the online sale of tobacco products is also illegal, the market has continued to thrive.
Vincent Karremans, State Secretary for Youth, Prevention and Sport, announced the proposal as part of a broader plan aimed at creating a smoke-free and nicotine-free generation by 2040. He said the government would increase enforcement resources to crack down on the illegal e-cigarette trade and would launch a campaign in 2025 to educate parents about the dangers of e-cigarettes. Karremans hopes to allocate 3 million euros for this effort.
