Czech Health Ministry moves to ban flavored e-cigarettes, cites youth appeal

The Czech Ministry of Health is planning major changes to electronic cigarettes. A draft decree obtained by TV Nova aims to ban flavored e-cigarettes, known as vaporizers, which are said to appeal to non-smokers, including children. The decree is expected to take effect next year.

Cigarettes should taste and possibly look like traditional cigarettes. The Ministry of Health is preparing a decree on electronic cigarettes, which would focus on so-called vaporizers; devices that heat a liquid, rather than directly burning tobacco.

From melon to cola to cotton candy, the range of flavors is wide. According to the draft decree, there should be practically only one flavor allowed: tobacco.

"You can say that our goal is really to create an electronic cigarette that will taste like tobacco," explained Matyáš Fošum, director of the Department of Public Health Protection at the Ministry of Health.

It is said that electronic cigarettes no longer attract traditional smokers to switch to e-cigarettes, mainly thanks to the sweet flavors that appeal to non-smokers, including children. The ministry's position is based on recommendations from the World Health Organization.

The 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. "The design resembles, for example, lipstick or highlighter, some pencils, packaging, chewing gum and the like," pointed out marketing expert Denisa Hejlová.

The decree would limit electronic cigarettes to 16 specific substances. "You will create a product that will only have a certain tobacco flavor. This is so complicated that de facto the category makes no sense for any manufacturer to deal with it," warned Robert Hrdlička, the president of the Chamber of Electronic Vaping.

Manufacturers warn that these changes could lead people to switch back to traditional cigarettes and strengthen the black market. "We don't understand at all why duty fees on electronic cigarettes were introduced a year ago, with effect from 1 Oct. 1, 2024, when in fact this decree almost says that in Sept. 2025 electronic cigarettes and vaping would almost end," said Petr Sobotka, an electronic cigarette manufacturer.

The draft decree was reportedly created by the ministry behind the manufacturers' backs. The ministry states that this is only a working version, and the final form of the decree will still be debated.

The EU Tobacco Products Directive, which went into effect in 2016, banned the sale of e-cigarettes with characterizing flavors like fruit or candy. However, menthol and tobacco flavors are still allowed. Some individual EU countries, like Finland and Hungary, have gone further and banned all flavored e-cigarettes, including menthol.