The German federal government has announced its intention to initiate a ban on disposable e-cigarettes (vapes), responding to mounting pressure from the Bundestag, state representatives, and environmental associations. Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter, Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for the Environment, confirmed the executive's commitment during a Bundesrat session on Friday, though she noted such a step would likely require EU Commission approval.
This announcement facilitated the Bundesrat's passing of the latest amendment to the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act, despite prior concerns that the law didn't go far enough. The chamber's environment committee had pushed for a marketing ban, citing the estimated annual consumption of 60 million disposable vapes in Germany as a significant threat. The improper disposal of these single-use plastic products wastes valuable resources like lithium and poses severe fire risks in recycling facilities due to their batteries.
While the amended act, expected to take effect in early 2026, will require shops to provide collection stations for used vapes, critics argue this is insufficient. Environmental groups like Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) welcomed the ban announcement as "long overdue," emphasizing the dangers these products pose to health and safety. The move aligns Germany with other European nations like France and Belgium, which have also taken action against disposable vapes.
