Sofia, 25. February 2025 – The World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) strongly condemns the Bulgarian Parliament’s reckless decision to ban all vaping products. This misguided policy, sparked by a tragic incident involving a black-market THC vape, will only exacerbate the real problem: the unregulated black market for dangerous products.

Bulgaria already has the highest smoking rate in the EU at 37%, 50% higher than the EU average. Despite this alarming statistic, lawmakers have chosen to eliminate a proven harm-reduction tool that helps smokers quit. Instead of addressing the root cause—illegal and unregulated products—the government has opted for a policy that will push adult vapers back to smoking or into the hands of black market dealers.

Michael Landl, Director of the World Vapers’ Alliance, stated:

“This ban is not just irrational; it’s dangerous. Banning regulated vaping products will not solve the issue of illegal vapes—it will make it worse. The tragic death of a teenager in Pleven was caused by a black-market THC vape, not by legal nicotine products. By banning legal alternatives, Bulgaria is opening the floodgates for more unsafe products to flood the market.”

E-cigarettes are not the enemy—they are the most effective tool many of us have found to quit smoking. Only 3% of Bulgarians currently use e-cigarettes, yet they are already the most popular method for quitting smoking in our country. Countries like Sweden, New Zealand and the UK, which embrace harm reduction policies, are on track to achieve the smoke-free goal (<5% smoking rate). At its current trajectory, Bulgaria will never meet this target.

In an open letter, the WVA calls on Bulgarian lawmakers to reconsider this disastrous policy. Evidence-based regulations that promote safer alternatives rather than outright bans are essential to reducing smoking rates and protecting public health. The final vote is expected at the beginning of March.

“This ban is a gift to black market criminals and a death sentence for smokers looking for less harmful alternatives,” Landl added. “Bulgaria deserves better than policies driven by panic instead of evidence.”