Apple, strawberry, mango or even cotton candy, disposable electronic cigarettes are available in all tastes on the stalls of tobacco sellers. Was declined, for the case of Belgium, which has banned the sale of puffs since January 1, 2025. In France, a reflection around a similar decision is underway, the European Commission having given the green light to France last September. However, no deadline is on the table.
In Luxembourg, on the other hand, there is no question of banning this product, which is particularly popular with young people, the Ministry of Health tells us. “We adopt an approach of observation and analysis of measures taken abroad. This allows us to evaluate the impacts of these initiatives and to determine, if necessary, what additional actions could be considered in Luxembourg,” specifies the ministry.
A health impact…
Despite this position in favor of the marketing of disposable electronic cigarettes, the Luxembourg government is not ignoring the arguments which pushed Belgium to ban puffs. These arguments are based on two pillars: health and ecological fears.
Nicotine also has known negative effects on brain development.
Ministry of Health
“From a health point of view, these products contain high doses of nicotine, promoting rapid dependence, particularly among young people, and which can lead them to other forms of tobacco consumption,” details the Ministry of Health in particular, which underlines that nicotine also “has known negative effects on brain development.” These effects specifically affect adolescents, altering their memory and concentration, which can disrupt their learning.
These negative effects are even more worrying when we take a look at the marketing surrounding disposable e-cigarettes. Attractive flavors and affordable prices: puffs specifically target young consumers, and are notably promoted on social networks by influencers who thus circumvent advertising bans. The Ministry of Health also mentions “a discretion which facilitates their use, often without the knowledge of parents, which contravenes the spirit of the tobacco law aimed at protecting young people”.
…and ecological
Beyond having an impact on health, puffs are also harmful to the environment. “Being single-use devices, they produce a significant amount of electronic waste that is difficult to recycle. Batteries contain heavy metals and lithium, often thrown into unsuitable trash cans or on public roads, which worsens pollution,” indicates the Ministry of Health.
-Despite these arguments, the government judges “that a ban targeted solely on disposable puffs would be limited in effectiveness”. The Ministry of Health is calling for a global approach which would include all electronic cigarettes and would thus be “more coherent in addressing these issues”.
More and more vapers
Asked about possible repercussions for the increase in sales of puffs in the Grand Duchy following the ban on sales in border countries, the administration replied that no specific study makes it possible to predict the impact of these measures. At the same time, it should be remembered that tobacco tourism is still profitable in Luxembourg.
In Luxembourg, no precise statistics on sales of disposable electronic cigarettes are available. “However, from April 1, 2025 [3]the obligation to affix tax signs on vaping products and the registration of points of sale with the Customs and Excise Administration will make it possible to collect concrete data on sales.
On the other hand, residents’ consumption is analyzed annually by the Cancer Foundation. In 2023, 36% of 16-24 year olds and 25% of 25-34 year olds reported vaping. This represents an increase of 15 and 5 points respectively compared to 2022.
Legislation too unambitious?
As a reminder, the law relating to tobacco products should soon change in the Grand Duchy. In October 2023, the former Minister of Health, Paulette Lenert (LSAP), tabled Bill 8333, aiming to transpose European Directive 2022/2100/EU. This text particularly concerned the withdrawal of certain exemptions for heated tobacco products.
The project was amended by the current Minister of Health, Martine Deprez (CSV), to include regulations on nicotine sachets. More specifically, the text aims to ban certain flavors and limit the nicotine level of these products. Disposable electronic cigarettes do not appear on this bill, currently in committee, to the great dismay of the Cancer Foundation.
The latter calls for a total ban on nicotine sachets rather than simple regulation, as well as a ban on disposable cigarettes, in an opinion submitted in September 2024. Committed to the national Generation Without Tobacco 2040 strategy alongside 37 partners, The Cancer Foundation believes that the ban on disposable electronic cigarettes, like that of any new product containing nicotine, is essential to achieve this public health objective.
