disposable Vaping Ban in Switzerland – Does It Make Sense?

On May 6, 2025, the Council of States passed a national ban on disposable vapes. The motion’s primary aim is to protect young people from the health risks posed by disposable e-cigarettes. Only secondarily does it highlight the poor environmental impact of this product category. Anyone familiar with the e-cigarette industry will raise an eyebrow at this line of reasoning. We’ll explain why:

disposable Vapes are popular among teenagers

It’s true that disposable vapes are also popular among teenagers. However, that doesn’t change the fact that the boom in disposable vapes, which began in Switzerland in 2021, has prompted a great many adult smokers to switch to e-cigarettes. And that is exactly why the e-cigarette was invented—as an alternative to the deadly tobacco cigarette. Modern vapes are undoubtedly attractive products that offer enjoyment with great flavors and without smelly smoke. Adult smokers have discovered this just as much as young people have.

Does a " disposable " Vape Ban Protect Teenagers?

A ban on disposable e-cigarettes has nothing to do with protecting minors. Why? Because there are now countless reusable e-cigarettes that look exactly the same, taste the same, are easy to use, and are even cheaper. Many politicians argue that disposable vapes are particularly popular among young people because of their low price. This statement is fundamentally false! disposable vapes have been taxed five times more heavily than reusable products since October 1, 2024. In the long run, using a reusable e-cigarette is more than 50% cheaper than buying disposable vapes.

What is the difference between a disposable and a reusable vape?

The products are virtually identical. With the disposable vape, the battery, e-liquid, and atomizer head are permanently built into the device. A reusable vape consists of a rechargeable battery mod and a pod—usually pre-filled with e-liquid—that is then attached to the battery. Visually and in terms of flavor, the devices differ very little, since they use the same e-liquid and the same technology.

Why are reusable vapes cheaper th disposable s?

With reusable e-cigarettes, the battery compartment can be recharged countless times, and only the e-liquid pods are replaced when they are empty. In contrast, every disposable vape has a built-in battery. It’s obvious that this results in higher production costs. Furthermore, the e-liquid in disposable vapes is taxed at CHF 1.00 per milliliter— five times higher than that of reusable products. This results in a price for disposable vapes that is nearly twice as high as that of a product with replaceable cartridges.

What are the consequences of a ban on disposable vapes?

If disposable vapes were banned throughout Switzerland, the next day the store shelves would simply be stocked with nearly identical reusable alternatives. That would be a very welcome development, as it would eliminate a great deal of unnecessary battery waste, which would help protect the environment. However, a ban would not improve youth protection—and why should it? Young people would simply switch to the corresponding reusable alternatives.

• Battery waste is greatly reduced
• Sales shift to reusable products
• Black market and imports from abroad are growing
• Tax revenues from the state are lower

Why does a puff bar ban make sense?

From an environmental perspective, Puff Bars (disposable vapes) are definitely a questionable product. This is because once the e-liquid inside has vaporized, the entire device must be discarded. Since many consumers do not dispose of used vapes at recycling centers, many lithium-ion batteries end up in regular trash or—even worse—in the natural environment. A ban would therefore significantly reduce the burden on the environment—provided that the alternative reusable products are not discarded after a single use.

However, the Swiss government must ask itself whether it wants to ban consumer products that are harmful to the environment as a matter of principle. After all, disposable e-cigarettes are by no means the only avoidable products that cause large-scale damage to the environment.

How can we improve the protection of minors with e-cigarettes?

We agree that e-cigarettes of any kind do not belong in the hands of young people. With an attractive stimulant that was invented as a less harmful alternative to the deadly tobacco cigarette, the challenge is to make it available to adult smokers cheaply and easily, but at the same time to prevent young people from consuming the product. With the new Tobacco Products Act, the Swiss government has already set the course for successful youth protection. However, regulations and laws only make sense if they are monitored and violations are punished. And the Confederation and cantons have room for improvement when it comes to enforcement.

• Offline age checks in stores and kiosks
• Introduction of barrier-free online age checks by the federal government (e.g. mandatory for payment provider Twint, credit card companies, invoice providers)
• Prevention Measures for Teens and Parents
• Advertising bans

Conclusion on the Ban on " disposable " Vapes in Switzerland

As one of the largest vape shops in Switzerland, we support a ban on disposable vapes. Why? Because, from an environmental perspective, they are a pointless product, and there are various good alternatives that have a much smaller environmental impact. However, the argument that a ban on disposable vapes would deter young people from using them is hypocritical and not based on facts. Effective youth protection requires simple age-verification tools—especially for online retailers—that allow adults to shop without obstacles while effectively preventing minors from making purchases. Here, the federal government should develop a solution in collaboration with payment providers, who already have access to the account holder’s date of birth. And resources are needed to regularly inspect all points of sale in order to effectively enforce the law.