The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) seized nearly 66,000 illegal vapes and e-liquids in January of this year. Inspectors found these at 7 different locations in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Almere, and Eindhoven. The sellers face fines and must also cover the costs of destroying the vapes and other prohibited products.
In the Netherlands, it is prohibited to sell vapes and refills with any flavor other than tobacco. The NVWA monitors and enforces the so-called flavor ban. In case of violations, the NVWA can impose fines that can amount to 22,500 euros for repeat offenders. Since January 2025, the NVWA has the authority to seize prohibited vapes and e-liquids. The seized products are destroyed, effectively removing them from sale.
Hard Learners
A retailer in Almere proved to be a hard learner. Inspectors seized over 28,000 vapes and bottles of e-liquid with various sweet flavors from his store. They also found 10 kilos of cannabis buds, which the police subsequently seized. At the request of the mayor of Almere, the store was immediately closed temporarily.
The retailer continued to sell illegal vapes. Customers could order them online and have them delivered to a designated location. Together with the police, the NVWA found the storage unit from which the sales were conducted, seizing another nearly 5,400 illegal vapes.
Tackling Together
By producing, importing, and selling vapes with sweet flavors, producers, importers, and sellers make prohibited vapes available that are particularly attractive to young people. These vapes are addictive and harmful to health. Through monitoring and enforcement at these companies, the NVWA contributes to limiting the availability of tobacco and vapes to young people. This supports the goal of the National Prevention Agreement for a smoke-free generation by 2040.
To reduce vape use among young people, in addition to enforcement, educating young people and their parents is crucial. It is essential to tackle this societal problem together to protect young people from these attractive but highly addictive and harmful products.
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