Bulgarian vape ban ‘would hinder the fight against smoking’

Wednesday 26 February – International health experts today condemned proposals in the Bulgarian Parliament to restrict access to safer nicotine alternatives and potentially ban disposable vapes entirely. 

Smoke Free Sweden says these short-sighted measures would deprive adult smokers of crucial tools that could help them transition away from deadly combustible cigarettes and will hinder the fight to reduce the devastating toll from smoking.

“These proposed restrictions in Bulgaria represent a significant step backward in tobacco harm reduction efforts across Europe,” said Dr. Delon Human, leader of Smoke Free Sweden. “Youth protection must remain our top priority, which is why we advocate for stringent access controls rather than complete prohibition of products that provide adult smokers with effective pathways to quit.”

The proposed legislation fails to recognise the important role disposable vapes and other smoke-free alternatives play in helping smokers quit their habit. Disposable products offer several advantages that make them particularly effective for smoking cessation:

Accessibility: Disposable vapes provide a low-cost entry point with minimal upfront investment, making them accessible to smokers from all socioeconomic backgrounds

Ease of use: Their simple design eliminates technical barriers that often discourage older smokers or those less comfortable with technology

Effectiveness: They deliver nicotine in a manner competitive with cigarettes, helping to satisfy cravings without the harmful combustion process

Dr. Human added: “Smoke-free nicotine products are proven to be 95% less harmful than combustible cigarettes and have demonstrated remarkable success in countries that embrace harm reduction approaches such as Sweden, the UK and New Zealand.

“Every adult smoker who switches to these alternatives significantly reduces their risk of developing smoking-related diseases, potentially saving millions of lives globally as adoption continues to grow.

“Disposable vaping products have an important part to play in this public health revolution by serving as vital harm reduction tools for vulnerable populations, including those with lower incomes who may be disproportionately affected by smoking-related diseases. 

“Smoke Free Sweden urges Bulgarian lawmakers to reconsider these proposals and instead adopt evidence-based regulations that both protect youth and preserve adult access to potentially life-saving alternatives.”