A new bill aims to tighten control over the illegal market for so-called puff bars, which are e-cigarettes with sweet flavors or high nicotine content. Starting from July 1st, it will not only be illegal to import large quantities of these products, but also to possess them in larger numbers or to buy them in Denmark. The bill, which was passed by a broad majority in the Danish Parliament on Tuesday, aims to target criminal actors in the market. The Ministry of Interior and Health stated in a press release that individuals will still be able to import puff bars as personal goods and possess them for personal use, as long as the quantity does not exceed ten, in order to avoid unnecessary criminalization of, for example, young people.
The Minister of Interior and Health, Sophie Løhde (V), stated that the product is both harmful to health and addictive. “We cannot accept that children and young people can easily access puff bars, which besides being illegal to sell in Denmark, are harmful to health and addictive,” she said, adding, “Therefore, we are now tightening the grip and making it illegal to both import, buy, and possess puff bars.” The bill will also give the Danish Safety Technology Authority the ability to confiscate illegal tobacco and nicotine products without involving the police in advance.
Furthermore, the bill will strengthen age control measures for the sale of these products by involving young people in control efforts during a two-year trial period. The Social Democrats, Venstre (The Liberal Party), Denmark Democrats, Socialist People’s Party (SF), Moderates (Moderate Party), The Conservatives, The Red-Green Alliance (Enhedslisten), Danish Social-Liberal Party (Radikale Venstre), and The Alternative have all voted in favour of the bill, while the Liberal Alliance voted against it.