The Latest Shifts Away From Tobacco Harm Reduction Within Eastern Europe

Poland and Bulgaria have introduced restrictive measures on vaping and nicotine products, sparking concern among tobacco harm reduction (THR) experts. who warn that these policies could undermine smoking cessation efforts and push users toward black markets.

Poland’s Council of Ministers has just introduced an excise tax on nicotine pouches, vapes, and other nicotine products. Proposed by the Minister of Finance, the policy is seen as a threat to public health by making safer alternatives to smoking more expensive and less accessible.

Meanwhile, aiming to make vaping products inaccessible in a more direct manner, last month the Bulgarian National Assembly voted 197-0 in favour of passing a bill that would have banned the sale, distribution, and advertising of all vapes, including non nicotine containing versions.

The World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) condemned both Poland’s and Bulgaria’s motions, calling them major setbacks for public health. Bulgaria has one of the highest smoking rates in Europe, and a decision to ban both nicotine and nicotine-free vapes ignores scientific evidence in favour of the products effectivity for smoking cessation, while being likely to fuel the black market.

With regards to Poland, the WVA urges the government to reconsider the proposed tax, advocating instead for evidence-based harm reduction policies that support smokers in transitioning to safer alternatives. WVA Director Michael Landl warned that raising the cost of harm reduction products could push people back to smoking, undermining efforts to reduce smoking-related harm.

Higher vape prices drive users back to smoking
In fact, research has shown that higher vaping costs may drive users back to cigarettes, as studies show price increases in e-cigarettes lead some to revert to smoking. Data from the US has shown that young adults (18-25) tend to switch to cigarettes when vaping becomes more expensive. Therefore, overall public health could suffer as a result of increased vape prices, as any decline in vaping may lead to higher smoking rates.

Smoke Free Sweden has also condemned Poland’s new tax on nicotine pouches and vaping products, arguing that equating them with cigarettes undermines public health efforts. Dr. Delon Human, leader of Smoke Free Sweden, warned that taxing safer nicotine products like cigarettes could push users back to smoking, reiterating that Sweden’s success in reducing smoking to 5.3%—the lowest in Europe—demonstrates the benefits of risk-proportionate policies. In contrast, Poland’s smoking rate remains at a high 25%, costing PLN 30 billion annually in healthcare and lost productivity.

Meanwhile, at almost 40%, Bulgaria’s smoking rate is similarly high, alarmingly so, and has remained practically unchanged since 2007. Thankfully earlier this week, Bulgaria reversed its decision to implement the blanket ban on all vaping products, opting instead to target disposable vapes exclusively. Professor Kostadin Angelov, head of the ruling GERB-SDF party and Chairman of the Health Committee, explained that the decision was influenced by data showing that 80% of adolescents prefer single-use vapes due to their affordability and perceived appeal compared to reusable devices.

He added that a complete ban would require notification from the European Commission (EC), a process that could delay implementation by years. Instead, the government is pursuing a faster path by mirroring Belgium’s approach, which bans only disposable e-cigarettes. And while the shift to a narrower ban is seen as a more immediate solution, Angelov stressed that discussions on broader vaping restrictions would continue in the future.

The issue with bans
Yet while a ban on disposables may be less drastic than a blanket ban, THR experts have consistently expressed concerns over bans on disposable vapes, as these products serve as an accessible entry point for smokers looking to switch to safer alternatives. The affordability and ease of use of disposables make them a non-committal option for individuals hesitant to invest in reusable devices.

By removing safer nicotine products from the market, or making them inaccessible in any other way, policymakers risk discouraging smokers from transitioning away from cigarettes. Additionally, such measures may push consumers toward unregulated black-market products, which pose greater health risks. Experts argue that instead of high taxes and outright prohibitions, regulations should focus on responsible sales and strict age verification to prevent youth access.