On January 1, 2025, Latvia introduced a ban on flavors for e-cigarettes, becoming the ninth European country to do so. The legislation also limits the nicotine content of nicotine pouches to 4 mg/g and prohibits vaping products and other nicotine products that look like candy or toys.
Amendments to Latvia’s Tobacco Products Act, adopted a year ago, ban non-tobacco flavours and restrict the sale of vaping products to people aged 20 and over. A specific ban on menthol and mint flavours came into force in August 2024.
The ban applies to both in-person and online sales, including those made by foreign sellers. In addition, the law limits the number of flavouring components allowed in tobacco-flavoured e-liquids to 16, a similar approach to that adopted in the Netherlands.
Penalties for selling prohibited products or selling to people under 20 have been increased. Fines range from 280 to 700 euros for individuals, and from 700 to 7 euros for companies.
Some Latvian retailers are considering getting around the ban by offering unflavoured nicotine and pre-mixed flavours separately, a common practice in other EU countries and the UK to avoid the 10ml limit on bottles.
Latvian manufacturer Pro Vape has filed an appeal with the country's Constitutional Court, challenging the flavor ban on constitutional grounds. However, the law will remain in effect while the proceedings are ongoing. A hearing is scheduled for May 13, and a decision is expected sometime this summer.
Latvia joins other EU member states that have banned flavours for e-cigarettes, such as Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Slovenia. Spain is also in the process of finalising a similar ban. Ukraine, although not an EU member, also bans flavours for vaping products.
According to Latvian state media, Latvia has the third highest rate of daily smokers in the EU, with 22,1% of adults smoking daily, behind Bulgaria and Greece.
