Flavored vapes under fire: Czechia clamps down on e-cigarettes

The Czech Ministry of Health is once again taking aim at the rising popularity of vaping among children and teens by banning candy-like flavors in e-cigarettes. Under a planned amendment to existing regulations, sweet flavors such as cotton candy, marshmallow, and donut will soon disappear from store shelves. However, the ban won’t affect all flavors.

Health officials say the move is designed to make vaping less appealing to young people. While the law already prohibits the sale of e-cigarettes to anyone under 18, recent surveys reveal that many retailers fail to enforce age limits. More than half of teenagers reported no difficulty buying e-cigarette cartridges, according to government data.

However, flavors that are seemingly less “artificial”—like tobacco, coffee, tea, mint, and fruit flavors including strawberry and banana—will still be allowed. Last year, the Health Ministry also confirmed that he decree would also specify that cigarettes and packaging should only be white and dark brown, without other colors or features like shiny surfaces or trendy stickers.

Critics question whether banning candy flavors will make a meaningful difference. “This will hardly lead to a restriction of electronic cigarettes among children,” said Robert Hrdlička, president of the Chamber of Electronic Vaping, which represents Czech e-cigarette makers and sellers. He argues that stricter enforcement of existing laws—such as heavier fines for retailers who sell to minors—would be more effective.

Addiction experts echo that sentiment. Former national drug coordinator Jindřich Vobořil called for stronger oversight of retailers and revoking licenses from repeat offenders.

The National Monitoring Center for Drugs and Addiction warns that alternatives like nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes are among the least harmful nicotine products. 

Yet, they stress that no nicotine product is risk-free—particularly for children. Data shows a troubling rise in vaping among Czech youth.

A 2022 study found that 22 percent of 15-year-olds had used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days, for example. While the overall number of nicotine users in Czechia has remained steady, traditional cigarette use is declining, replaced by alternatives such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. Currently, 8–11 percent of adults vape, and 3–6 percent use e-cigarettes daily, the monitoring center reports.

The Health Ministry’s proposed changes still need final approval before taking effect.