SOFIA, Bulgaria — Bulgaria’s National Assembly has passed a sweeping ban on the sale and use of vapes and heated tobacco products for individuals under the age of 18, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to curb youth smoking.
The new law, which received unanimous support in its second reading, also prohibits offering these products to minors, reflecting a broader push to safeguard children’s health.
The amendments to Bulgaria’s child protection law, introduced by the center-right political party GERB, come in response to growing concerns over the rising use of e-cigarettes and other tobacco alternatives among the nation’s youth.
Kostadin Angelov, a prominent member of GERB and one of the key proponents of the legislative changes, emphasized that this is just the beginning of a larger effort to regulate products that pose potential health risks to young people.
Angelov has indicated that future regulatory efforts will focus on energy drinks, which have also raised public health concerns in recent years.
Ban on Vape Advertising
In addition to the age restriction, the new legislation includes a ban on advertising vapes on radio and television.
This measure was proposed by the “We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria” (WCC-DB) coalition and is seen as a critical component in reducing the visibility and appeal of these products to minors.
Advertisements for vapes and e-cigarettes often glamorize their use, making them particularly appealing to younger audiences.
The legislation follows in the footsteps of other European countries that have taken steps to regulate the sale and promotion of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.
Supporters of the law argue that these products, often marketed as safer alternatives to traditional cigarettes, still pose significant health risks, particularly to younger users whose bodies are more vulnerable to nicotine addiction.
Alarming Trends Among Bulgarian Youth
The urgency of the legislative changes is underscored by a recent study conducted by the Medical University of Plovdiv and the Health Care Foundation. The online survey reveals troubling trends in smoking habits among Bulgarian children.
According to the data, 2% of children aged 6 to 9 smoke traditional cigarettes, while 3% use e-cigarettes. These statistics highlight the early age at which some Bulgarian children are being introduced to nicotine, often through the influence of their home environment.
The survey further indicates that a staggering 77% of these young smokers come from families where at least one parent smokes.
This familial influence, combined with the easy accessibility of flavored vapes and heated tobacco products, has created a dangerous cycle where children and teens are picking up smoking habits at an early age.
The data also shows that 23% of 15 to 19-year-olds use vapes or heated tobacco products, and 10% of 13 to 15-year-olds smoke traditional cigarettes.
These findings have alarmed public health officials and educators, who are calling for more targeted interventions to address the root causes of youth smoking in Bulgaria.
Flavored e-cigarettes and vapes, in particular, have become popular among young users due to their appealing scents and variety of flavors, making them a key focus of anti-smoking campaigns.
Calls for Education and Intervention
Experts argue that while legislative measures like the new vape ban are a critical step, they must be accompanied by comprehensive education and intervention efforts aimed at young people.
Dr. Maria Stoyanova, a public health specialist in Sofia, emphasizes the importance of early education on the dangers of smoking, particularly in schools. “We need to start talking to children about the risks of smoking and vaping at a much younger age,” Stoyanova said.
“By the time they’re teenagers, many of them have already experimented with these products, and it’s much harder to break the habit.”
Anti-smoking advocates are also urging the government to invest in public awareness campaigns that target not only young people but also their parents.
“Parents play a crucial role in shaping their children’s attitudes toward smoking,” said Dimitar Ivanov, head of the Health Care Foundation.
“We need to help parents understand the impact their smoking habits can have on their children and encourage them to set a positive example.”
Looking Ahead
The ban on the sale and use of vapes by minors is expected to be just the beginning of Bulgaria’s broader efforts to address youth smoking.
Kostadin Angelov has hinted that the National Assembly may soon turn its attention to regulating energy drinks, which have also been linked to health concerns among young people.
The move would align with similar efforts in other European countries, where restrictions on the sale of energy drinks to minors have been implemented in recent years.
As Bulgaria continues to grapple with rising smoking rates among its youth, the passage of this new law represents a crucial step in protecting future generations from the harmful effects of nicotine addiction.
However, the success of these efforts will ultimately depend on a combination of strict enforcement, public education, and a cultural shift toward healthier lifestyles.
For now, public health officials are hopeful that the new regulations will lead to a decline in vape usage among young people and pave the way for further measures aimed at curbing smoking across the country.