Disposable Vape Pens and Tobacco Ban Expends in Portugal

The disposable vape pens and tobacco use in Portugal gets a new legislation now. Portugal ban smoking in most places, and restrict tobacco products selling. It includs vapes like disposable vape pens, rechargeable vape pens and other cigarette products.

The Portuguese government on Thursday tabled a bill to extend the smoking ban to outdoor areas, including covered terraces. Also, the bill restricts tobacco and disposable vape pens sales.

The government hopes to raise a tobacco-free generation by 2040.

“With this amendment, we will start today to protect the adults of tomorrow,”

Said by Manuel Pizarro, the Health Minister on a press conference. Also he dismissed the criticism from some business groups. The criticisms mainly say that the measures are too harsh and discriminatory.

The ruling Socialists have a majority in the Parliament. If the bill gets approved, it will take effect on Oct. 23.

Smoking next to public buildings such as schools, universities, hospitals or sports venues, outside restaurants, bars and cafes will be banned.

In the meantime, Restaurants, bars and nightclubs that have special smoking areas with adequate insulation will be allowed to keep them until 2030.

From 2025, only licenced tobacco stores and airport stores will be allowed to sell cigarettes, tobacco and disposable vape pen products.

people smoking cigarettes and disposable vape pens in restaurant
(Photo: AFP)

Which means, vending machines, bars, restaurants and gas stations will no longer be allowed to offer them.

Under a European Union directive, Portugal is also changing the law to put heated tobacco products on an equal footing with traditional tobacco. The sale of flavoured heated tobacco and flavored disposable vape pens will be banned.

The president of the restaurant association PRO.VAR, Daniel Serra, said the measures would deprive often struggling small businesses of a source of revenue. The National Association of Fuel Dealers, which operates gas stations, called the plan unfair and disproportionate.

A pack of cigarettes costs about 5 euros ($5.50) in Portugal – one of the lowest prices in Western Europe. Therefore, some argue that the government should instead raise tobacco taxes. However, Pizarro said that is not a priority because prices above a certain level would only encourage smuggling.

According to government data, about two-thirds of deaths among smokers are due to tobacco use. What’s more, smokers live an average of 10 years less than nonsmokers. In addition, about 13,500 people died from tobacco-related causes in 2019 in Portugal, which has a population of about 10 million. (1 $ = 0.9084 euros).

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