87% of Dutch vapers use illegal vapes

Almost nine out of ten people who vape use illegal vapes or vapes purchased illegally. These often enter the country via webshops or physical stores abroad, research firm Bureau Beke reported. They may have been sold legally abroad, but are not allowed on the market in the Netherlands because they are flavored, for example.

This concerns 87 percent of the “vaping population.” Usually, there is a “combination of illegal factors,” the researchers wrote. These include an excessive amount of vaping liquid, sweet flavors, or sales through an illegal channel.

Health Minister Sophie Hermans said she was shocked by the high percentage of illegal vapes. “But it also fits into a trend we have been seeing for quite some time,” she told ANP, referring to young people sleeping with a vape under their pillow and to collapsed lungs.

The VVD Minister wants the NVWA inspection service to be able against companies that have illegal vapes in stock. Currently, this is only possible if they are caught selling the vapes, which is difficult to prove. She will also increase the maximum fines for illegal vape trade.

Earlier this week, RTL Nieuws reported that hundreds of Dutch shops continue to sell illegal vapes despite receiving multiple fines.

Hermans does not want to take harsh measures against people who use illegal vapes. For them, she’d rather focus on education.