In the first three months of this year, the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has seized nearly 185,000 illegal vapes and e-liquids. Inspectors also seized over 500 nicotine pouches. They found the banned products in stores and storage locations across the country. Sellers face fines and must pay the costs for destroying the vapes and other banned products.
It is illegal in the Netherlands to sell vapes and e-liquids (refills for vapes) with a flavor other than tobacco. The NVWA monitors and enforces the so-called flavor ban. In case of violations, the NVWA can impose fines, which can amount to €22,500 for repeat offenses. Since January 2025, the NVWA has been authorized to seize banned vapes and e-liquids, preventing these products from being sold. In that first month, the NVWA seized 66,000 banned products.
Storage Full of Vapes
Inspectors wanted to check a storage space in Barendrecht because the owner of several stores in different parts of the Netherlands was suspected of using it. The door was locked, but the inspectors managed to take a look through a small opening between the door and the ceiling. The box was full of boxes with vapes. After some persuasion, the owner eventually opened the box for the inspectors. There were over 42,000 banned vapes inside.
Chain in North Holland Disrupted
During a coordinated action, inspectors found banned vapes at several stores in North Holland. The stores were supplied from the same storage. Therefore, this storage was also checked. The owner refused to cooperate and would not open the door. A police locksmith was then called to open the door. In the warehouse, inspectors found just over 27,000 banned vapes. With this action, the NVWA tackled the entire chain from wholesale to retail.
Joint Action
By producing, importing, and selling vapes with sweet flavors, producers, importers, and sellers make banned vapes available that are particularly attractive to young people. Vapes are addictive and harmful to health. Through monitoring and enforcement, the NVWA contributes to limiting the availability of tobacco and vapes for young people. This supports the goal of the National Prevention Agreement, which aims for a smoke-free generation by 2040.
To reduce the use of vapes among young people, education for youth and their parents is also crucial, in addition to enforcement. It is essential to tackle this societal problem together and protect young people from these attractive but highly addictive and harmful products.
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