Ban on online sales of (e-)cigarettes and accessories

March 01 2023, by Novus Fumus
2 min reading time

The Netherlands will ban the remote sale (online sales) of tobacco and related products starting July 1, 2023. What will and won't be prohibited? We'll explain.

Starting July 1, 2023, a new sales ban on tobacco and e-cigarettes will take effect in the Netherlands. The Dutch government announced this on February 23, 2021, with the aim of significantly reducing the number of smokers and improving public health. But what exactly does this ban entail? What is prohibited, and what is still permitted? In this blog post, we'll explain.

What is banned?

The sales ban affects a range of products directly linked to smoking. These include:

Tobacco
E-cigarettes
Liquids (e-liquids) for e-cigarettes
Accessories for e-cigarettes

This means that companies like Novus Fumus will no longer be allowed to sell tobacco products through their online stores after the specified date. Inventory will be gradually reduced, and products will be removed from the online store as soon as they are no longer in stock.

What is excluded from the ban?

While the ban affects many products, there are exceptions. These include:

Flavorings such as click balls, fleva cards, frutastick
(Menthol) cigarette tubes from Mascotte or MCT
Smoking accessories such as lighters, filters, etc.

It is important to note that these items, while not immediately banned, may be subject to future regulation depending on government policy.

The bigger picture: tobacco ban in all stores

This new ban is part of a larger plan to reduce tobacco sales in the Netherlands in general. In addition to the online ban, tobacco sales will be gradually phased out in other stores. Starting in 2024, tobacco sales will be banned at supermarkets, followed by gas stations, tobacco shops, and convenience stores.

A step in the fight against smoking

The ban on online tobacco sales is an important step in the fight against smoking and in efforts to improve public health. But it's not the only measure. The Netherlands is also conducting campaigns to discourage smoking and has increased its focus on smoke-free zones. Through these various measures, the Netherlands hopes to significantly reduce the number of smokers and thus improve public health.

Do you have questions about this change in the law or are you looking for advice on how to prepare? Feel free to contact us at Novus Fumus. We're happy to help.