Dutch government increases fines for illegal e-cigarette sales to 2,040 euros

Caretaker State Secretary for Health, Judith Tielen, has raised the fine for the illegal sale of e-cigarettes by 700 euros, bringing it to 2,040 euros for a first violation, she wrote to the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Dutch parliament. For a repeat offense, the fine will increase by 1,000 euros to 3,060 euros.

Last year, the ministry boosted the capacity of the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), which monitors illegal sales and issues fines. Between July 2024 and July 2025, the NVWA issued 300 fines for illegal e-cigarette sales.

According to Tielen, the increased fines are meant to serve as a deterrent. Her main goal is to protect children’s health by keeping them from becoming addicted to vaping.

Vapes are legal in the Netherlands, but flavored e-cigarettes are banned. As with conventional cigarettes, they cannot be sold to anyone under 18. Since the start of this year, supermarkets and hospitality venues have no longer been allowed to sell tobacco products.

The higher fines will also apply to online sellers. For companies with over 50 employees, the penalty will rise by 1,300 euros, reaching 4,040 euros. The new rules are scheduled to come into force on July 1 next year.

The NVWA is stepping up its monitoring of social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Telegram to detect illegal sales. Many vapes are sold through private messages or closed groups, targeting underage customers directly.