Czechia to tighten kratom and hemp regulations, backtracks on full e-cigarette ban

The Czech Republic is set to implement significant new regulations on substances such as kratom, low-THC hemp, and flavored e-cigarettes. These measures aim to protect young people from the risks associated with psychoactive substances and promote safer consumption practices.

Amended legislation on addictive substances will restrict the sale of kratom and low-THC hemp starting in December. The Senate recently approved the amendment, which limits sales of these products to adults in specialized stores and prohibits sales through vending machines. The legislation also mandates age verification for online purchases and bans items resembling toys or candy to deter children from accessing these substances.

The amendment, which the president will now sign, classifies psychoactive substances based on their potential health risks. Under the new regulations, a list of classified psychoactive substances will include products deemed unsafe, with a two-year evaluation period before they can be reclassified.

In addition to addressing kratom and hemp, the Ministry of Health is reassessing its initial plan to ban all flavored e-cigarettes. The ministry has shifted its focus to restricting flavors marketed explicitly toward children.

Currently, about one in ten people in the Czech Republic use e-cigarettes, with a concerning number of teenagers reportedly starting before their eighteenth birthday. Health officials say flavors are a significant draw for young users.

Minister of Health Vlastimil Válek emphasized the importance of identifying "children’s flavors" in collaboration with health experts and e-cigarette manufacturers. If specific flavors are determined to target youth, they will be regulated accordingly.

While the ministry acknowledges that e-cigarettes are generally considered less harmful than traditional cigarettes, concerns about addiction and long-term health effects remain. Health experts note that while vaping poses lower risks than smoking, the long-term impacts are still under investigation.