EAVI sent an open letter to the media in response to the new draft law proposing a complete ban on the offering, sale, distribution, and advertising of single-use and reusable electronic cigarettes, whether they contain nicotine or not – the so-called vapes and similar devices.
OPEN LETTER TO THE MEDIA
TO:
MRS. NATALIA KISELOVA
CHAIRPERSON OF THE 51ST NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA
MR. BOYKO BORISSOV, CHAIRPERSON OF THE GERB-SDS PARLIAMENTARY GROUP
MR. KOSTADIN ANGELOV
VICE-CHAIRPERSON OF THE GERB-SDS PARLIAMENTARY GROUP
CHAIRPERSON OF THE HEALTHCARE COMMITTEE, 51ST NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA
MR. PETAR KNEV, CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC POLICY AND INNOVATIONS
MR. SEVI MALI, CHAIRPERSON OF THE AGRICULTURE, FOOD, AND WATER COMMITTEE
COPY:
MR. PETAR DILOV
MINISTER OF ECONOMY AND INDUSTRY
MR. NIKOLAY PAVLOV
DEPUTY MINISTER OF ECONOMY AND INDUSTRY
MR. IVO MARINOV
DIRECTOR OF THE "FOREIGN ECONOMIC POLICY AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION" DIRECTORATE
CHAIRPERSONS OF ALL PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTED PARTIES
Subject: Draft Amendments to the Tobacco, Tobacco Products, and Related Products Act (ZTTSP) with signature 51-554-01-34 from 07/02/2025, submitted by Prof. Kostadin Angelov. The draft will ban legal and lawful products on the market, which will not solve the problem, but instead will encourage illegal and risky products.
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
The European Association of the Vape Industry, operating legally, responsibly, and in accordance with all international standards and Bulgarian and European legislation, expresses its full support for the introduction of strict regulatory measures aimed at increasing control over electronic cigarettes and related products, with the goal of ensuring safety and protecting the lives and health of our children.
In this context, we firmly declare our support for the following key measures:
1. A complete ban on the sale of vapes to individuals under 18 years of age.
2. Introduction of additional strict regulatory measures to ensure that only products meeting high European and international standards will be available to consumers.
- Laboratory testing Implementation of continuous enhanced checks and controls over the production, import, and sale of these products.
- Amendments to the Penal Code – Criminalizing the possession and trade of illegal, unregulated vape devices.
- Aggressive action against illegal trade in electronic cigarettes and related products,through increased control over the illegal import and distribution of uncertified products with unclear contents and potential narcotic substances. The experience of countries such as France and Germany shows that enhanced control and sanctions against the illegal market significantly reduce risks for consumers. We propose increasing the number of personnel in the customs agency's anti-smuggling unit, which will allow for faster response when signals are submitted.
- Urgent introduction of strict sanctions against all traders who do not comply with the regulation prohibiting the sale to individuals under 18 years of age. Significant financial sanctions for all commercial establishments for the first offense of selling to underage individuals and revocation of the tobacco product trading license for the second offense.
- Shutting down all online platforms and removing websitesoffering remote sales of any smoking-related products, including imposing sanctions on the operators.
- Introduction of a 24/7 hotline for signals, allowing citizens to report cases of illegal sale and distribution of electronic cigarettes and other products to individuals under 18, enabling rapid identification and elimination of unregulated commercial practices.
- Amendments to the Penal Codeto introduce sanctions for underage holders of electronic cigarettes, aimed at limiting their access and consumption among young people.
10. Creation of mobile units from the Ministry of Interior to physically monitor individuals under 18 years of age through checks for possession of smoking devices, and introduction of financial sanctions for parents/guardians of underage individuals.
The experience of other countries clearly shows that banning electronic cigarettes leads to an increase in illegal trade. In countries such as Thailand, Australia, and Turkey, similar measures resulted in a drastic rise in smuggling and the spread of dangerous, uncertified products with unclear origins. In contrast, countries like the USA, New Zealand, and Canada successfully apply effective regulations that reduce abuse and illegal trade. Legal products are saferbecause they comply with international standards and are scientifically proven to be a less risky alternative to traditional cigarettes. A complete ban will lead to their replacement with uncertified products with unclear content.
At present, Bulgaria already has an illegal market for electronic products with unclear origins, whose primary consumers are individuals under 18 years of age, due to their inability to purchase legal products from the retail network. Smuggling will expand even furtherif a complete ban on electronic cigarettes is introduced. Introducing unjustified restrictions will increase the demand for such products.
