Czechia’s Ministry of Health has unveiled a draft regulation that would tighten restrictions on electronic cigarettes, particularly those that feature pictures of animals or characters appealing to children.

The proposed measures, which must be approved by the European Commission, are intended to bring the country’s laws in line with broader public health goals across the EU.

Under the new rules, e-cigarettes and their refills will no longer be allowed to resemble toys, sweets, or display images of animals or characters appealing to minors.

Products may not contain sweeteners, cannabis extracts, psychoactive substances, anabolic steroids, or hormones. Labels with cartoon aesthetics, gaming references, or fantasy motifs would also be banned.

The regulation is a direct response to growing concern over the soaring popularity of vaping among Czech youth.

According to the State Institute of Health (SZÚ), 13.9% of the population used electronic cigarettes in 2023—up from less than 5% five years ago. Nearly one in four people aged 15–24 vape regularly, and about 15% of users started before the legal age of 18.

Although originally promoted as a safer alternative to tobacco, e-cigarettes are now being widely used by people who have never smoked traditional cigarettes.

The Ministry highlights that nearly 20% of current e-cigarette users in Czechia are non-smokers, suggesting that flavored and brightly packaged devices are drawing in new users rather than helping existing smokers quit.

One of the ministry’s primary concerns is the impact of nicotine on adolescent brain development. “Young brains form synapses faster than those of adults. As a result, teenagers are more susceptible to addiction,” the Ministry stated. Research suggests that nicotine can damage areas of the brain linked to attention and learning, with long-term consequences extending into adulthood.

The new regulation would also address labeling inconsistencies. Currently, manufacturers list nicotine levels in varying units—some use percentages, others grams per milliliter—which can mislead consumers. The ministry wants all products to state nicotine content uniformly, making comparisons easier and increasing transparency.

Another major change would expand the list of banned ingredients in e-liquid refills and possibly establish maximum limits for certain additives. While existing laws require nicotine warnings on packages containing the substance, the Ministry argues that all vaping products should carry such warnings, since nicotine-free refills can be swapped out for those containing nicotine.

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