Strict regulations and high taxes fuel illegal vaping market in Europe

A study by the Fraunhofer IIS Institute warns that prohibitive policies and the high tax burden on electronic cigarettes (vaping) have led to a boom in illicit trade in Europe, generating a multi-million dollar market and increasing risks to public health. The research concludes that these measures have not succeeded in reducing consumption, but have encouraged the expansion of the illegal market. Currently, illicit vaping represents 48% of electronic cigarettes sold on the continent, with an estimated value exceeding 6.6 billion euros in 2024. Projections indicate that this figure could exceed 7.2 billion euros by the end of 2025. The report indicates that the lack of regulatory harmonization among European countries has been key in this phenomenon. According to the Fraunhofer IIS Institute, disparate and restrictive legislations have created incentives for irregular trade, weakening state control and reducing tax collection.

Furthermore, it highlights that nearly 90% of electronic cigarettes imported into Europe come from China, many of them outside legal and health standards, which facilitates the proliferation of the gray and black market.

Health Risks and Adulterated Products

Beyond the economic impact, the study warns of the dangers to public health. Illegal devices may contain untested substances, which increases the risk of poisoning, adverse reactions, and long-term illnesses. The absence of quality controls in the illicit market eliminates guarantees for consumers and complicates the work of health authorities.

You may be interested in: Costa Rican Ministry of Health warns about irreversible damage from vaping

Faced with this situation, experts and organizations suggest rethinking the regulatory strategy in Europe. Instead of reinforcing prohibitions, they propose a model based on harm reduction, with differentiated taxes according to the risk level of each product. This approach seeks to discourage the consumption of more harmful products and, at the same time, reduce the appeal of the illegal market, promoting access to regulated alternatives.

Debate in the Dominican Republic

In the Dominican Republic, the issue has also gained relevance. The president of the National Drug Council, Alejandro Abreu, has pointed out the need to establish specific regulations for vapers, given the increase in the consumption of adulterated products, especially among minors. In the last six years, several bills have been introduced aimed at restricting access to these devices for minors and establishing quality controls, although they have not yet been approved. The Fraunhofer IIS Institute report concludes that a more consistent and evidence-based regulation could be key to curbing illicit trade, protecting public health, and regaining control of the market.