The World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) is in Sofia, Bulgaria, this week to meet with politicians and the media and to advocate against the increasing restrictions on vaping. Initially, the Bulgarian parliament proposed a complete ban on vaping products, but with the latest proposed amendments, the ban will be reduced to a ban only on disposable e-cigarettes. However, some members of parliament are now discussing a ban on flavored e-liquids. These measures would seriously limit consumer choice, make it harder for smokers to switch to less harmful alternatives, and fuel the black market.
Bulgaria is already first in the EU in terms of the share of smokers – 37%, which is 50% higher than the EU average. Instead of implementing evidence-based harm reduction policies, politicians are pushing measures that will prevent smokers from switching to less harmful alternatives. The ban on disposable products and flavors will push consumers toward the black market and cigarettes, rather than providing them with regulated, safer alternatives.
Alberto Gómez Hernández, Head of Policy at the World Vapers’ Alliance, said: „Bulgaria must focus on smart regulation that ensures adult smokers have access to safer alternatives while protecting young people. The tragic death of a teenager in Pleven was caused by a THC vape sold on the black market. A ban on vapes will only fuel the black market and make tragedies like this more likely. A well-regulated market is the best way to reduce the number of smokers and prevent undesirable outcomes.“
Maintaining access to disposable vapes and a variety of flavors is essential for supporting smoking cessation efforts. Research shows that smokers who switch from cigarettes to vapes are more likely to quit successfully when using flavored products. Additionally, disposable vapes often serve as an affordable entry point for smokers quitting combustible cigarettes, offering convenience, accessibility, and ease of use. Removing these options could discourage smokers from transitioning to less harmful alternatives.
Gómez Hernández added: „Removing access to flavored e-liquids and disposable vapes will be a setback for public health in Bulgaria. These products play a key role in helping smokers quit traditional cigarettes. Bulgaria already has the worst results in the EU in the fight against smoking, and these restrictions will make it impossible to achieve the goal of 5% smoker prevalence.„
As part of its efforts to oppose these misguided bans, the World Vapers’ Alliance is engaging with Bulgarian politicians and the media this week to highlight that a risk-based and proportionate regulatory framework is the most effective approach to achieving smoking reduction goals.
The World Vapers’ Alliance calls on Bulgarian politicians to abandon excessive restrictions and instead adopt harm reduction strategies that have been proven to work in reducing the number of smokers while protecting consumer choice.
„We urge politicians to reject excessive restrictions that would only benefit the criminal organizations of the black market,“ added Gómez Hernández. „Bulgaria needs science-based regulation, not fear-based suggestions.
