It appears that the ban on flavours for e-cigarettes (vapes) is affecting e-cigarette use. This was shown by an evaluation conducted by RIVM, which shows that 40% of the respondents had reduced their e-cigarette use because of the 2024 ban. In addition, 22% indicated that they had completely stopped vaping because of the flavour ban. The study found no significant differences between the two studied groups.
These are the initial results from a study that will be published later this year. RIVM asked over 500 adolescents and young adults and more than 450 adults about their use. Daily use of vapes in these groups dropped from 29 to 18%. Weekly use dropped from 30 to 14% and monthly use from 42 to 16%.
Unintended consequences
RIVM also investigated unintended consequences of the flavour ban, such as purchase of flavours through the illegal market or people switching to other harmful products. Most consumers who quit because of the ban did not switch to a substitute.
Source of illegal flavours
The main source of illegal flavours turned out to be brick-and-mortar stores in Germany. According to the researchers, an EU (European Union
)-wide flavour ban would increase the effectiveness of the ban, since that would make cross-border purchases more difficult. RIVM conducted this study at the request of the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. The Minister for Youth, Prevention and Sport recently launched an action plan to protect young people from vaping.