Can you vape in the Netherlands?

The legal position for UK visitors

The Netherlands regulates vaping under the Tobacco and Smoking Products Act. The product rules align with the EU TPD but the Netherlands has added a series of national restrictions that go well beyond TPD minimums. The Dutch government's target is a smoke-free generation by 2040 and vaping policy is built around that goal.

• Legal purchase age: 18, same as the UK.
• Maximum nicotine strength: 20mg/ml, same as the UK.
• Maximum e-liquid bottle: 10ml for nicotine liquid, same as the UK.
• Maximum tank or pod: 2ml, same as the UK.
• Personal import: Bringing your own kit and supplies for personal use is fine, including flavoured liquid.
• Online sales: Banned. Cross-border online sales also banned.
• Vending machines: Banned.
• Advertising: All advertising and promotion banned.
• Excise duty: None currently. A vape duty is being introduced for the first time.

The Dutch flavour ban

This is the rule that defines vaping in the Netherlands. Since 1 January 2024, only tobacco-flavoured e-liquid can be legally sold. The ban covers prefilled pods, disposable vapes and bottled e-liquid. All sweet, fruit and dessert flavours are illegal for sale.

The Dutch flavour ban is the test case for the rest of Europe. Many countries are watching how it has played out, and the results have been mixed. Adult vaping fell from 3.86% in 2023 to 2.3% by 2026. But cigarette consumption rose 1% in 2024 and 27% of former vapers said they smoked more or began smoking after the ban.

• What is banned: Strawberry, mango, mint (mostly), menthol, fruit, dessert and any non-tobacco flavour. Banned for both bottled liquid and prefilled pods.
• What is allowed: Tobacco flavour only, using a regulated approved list of ingredients.
• Enforcement: The Dutch food and consumer product safety authority (NVWA) runs an active enforcement programme. In 2024, 3.5 million flavoured products were blocked at importers, 800,000 were recalled and 1,200+ inspections were carried out.
• Compliance gap: 17% of importers and 42% of inspected retailers were found in violation of the flavour ban.
• BAT court challenge: British American Tobacco sued the Dutch state arguing the ban was unlawful. The District Court of The Hague ruled in favour of the state in November 2024.
• For UK visitors: You will not find your usual fruit or dessert flavours in Dutch shops. Bring your own.

The retail channel restrictions

The Dutch government has progressively restricted where vapes can be sold. The timeline of changes matters because some are very recent.

Where you can and cannot vape in the Netherlands

The Netherlands treats vaping similarly to smoking in public places. The Dutch Tobacco Act covers vapes alongside cigarettes for most use restrictions.

What the Dutch experience tells us

The Netherlands is a useful case study for vapers because it has implemented some of the strictest vape rules in Europe and the consequences are now visible. Industry, health researchers and the UK government are watching the Dutch experience as it shapes wider European regulation.

• Adult vaping prevalence has fallen: From 3.86% in 2023 to 2.3% by 2026.
• Cigarette consumption rose: About 1% increase in 2024, equating to around 60 million additional cigarettes sold.
• Former vapers switching to smoking: 27% of former vapers reported smoking more or starting smoking after the flavour ban.
• Illicit market expansion: Reports show 27% of vapers now buying from abroad, 31% from illicit online sellers and 33% still finding flavoured products in local shops.
• Retail compliance gaps: 42% of inspected retailers found in violation of the ban.
• Vape shop closures: Many Dutch vape shops have closed since the flavour ban took effect. Tobacco-only stock cannot sustain the business model.

Buying vapes in the Netherlands

The Dutch retail channel for vapes is now narrow. With supermarkets, hotels, bars and online sales all blocked, and only tobacco-flavoured products legally available, the practical buying experience is limited.

1. Specialist vape shops

   The only legal retail channel from 2025. Located in major Dutch cities (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht) but numbers are declining. Stocks tobacco-flavoured liquid and pod kits only.

2. Specialist tobacco shops

   Some tobacco shops (sigarenmagazijnen) have qualified as vape specialists and continue selling. Distribution narrower than UK newsagents.

3. Online (banned in Netherlands)

   Online sales to Dutch addresses banned. UK online retailers cannot legally ship vape products to the Netherlands.

4. Supermarkets, hotels, bars, restaurants (banned)

   None of these can sell vape products since July 2024.

The bottom line for UK visitors: bring your own kit and supplies. The Netherlands is the hardest country in Western Europe to buy vape products in 2026.

The bottom line