The Netherlands has announced plans to raise the legal age for purchasing nicotine products to 21, joining a growing group of European countries tightening age restrictions on smoking and vaping.
In the section titled “sober policy: drugs, gambling, sex work,” the Dutch coalition agreement struck last month contains a striking sentence on smoking.
“We are also continuing with initiatives surrounding the smoke‑free generation, and the minimum age for purchasing nicotine‑containing products will be raised to 21,” reads the deal between the liberal democrats (D66), conservatives (VVD), and Christian democrats (CDA).
This change would also apply to vapes, which are currently sold from age 18 – the standard minimum sales age across Europe.
The move comes amid rising concern over youth vaping in the Netherlands. A 2025 government‑commissioned study found that one in 10 12‑year‑olds had already tried vaping, while nearly 40% of 12- to 16-year-old users said they were addicted, with one in three of those vaping daily.
While the minority government’s plan may take time to implement, it reflects a broader shift already under way in Latvia, Ireland and Finland, where authorities are moving to raise the legal age for nicotine consumption.
Last year, Latvia raised the minimum legal age for purchasing tobacco, vapes, nicotine pouches, and even herbal smoking substitutes from 18 to 20.
The impact of such measures is not yet clear. A Latvian PermRep spokesperson told Euractiv that more time is needed to gather data to evaluate their long-term impact.
“Representative data on their impact on smoking prevalence and behavioural change – especially among children and young people – will likely become available only by the end of 2026 or in 2027,” the spokesperson said, adding that the study is still ongoing.
Meanwhile, Ireland has adopted a different yet related approach by pursuing plans for a “smoke-free generation” through the progressive restriction of tobacco sales based on year of birth. Under this plan, the legal purchasing age will increase from 18 to 21 by 1 February 2028.
Finland is also considering raising the minimum age for purchasing, importing, and possessing tobacco and nicotine products from 18 to 20 as part of its goal of a “tobacco- and nicotine-free Finland by 2030.”
Across the EU, youth vaping and smoking rates are rising. The 2024 European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD), published by the EU Drug Agency (EUDA), reported that daily smoking and vaping among 15‑ to 16‑year‑olds increased from 7.9% in 2019 to 14% in 2024.
A WHO report also highlights that Europe has the highest global prevalence of youth tobacco use, with 11.6% of young people aged 13–15 using some form of tobacco.
Officially an adult, but too young to smoke
Anti-smoking group Smoke Free Partnership told Euractiv the Dutch plan was “good news for public health” and a key step in denormalising youth nicotine use, adding that similar moves elsewhere could signal a wider shift across Europe.
The industry, however, has criticised the proposal, arguing that people in the Netherlands are considered legal adults from the age of 18.
The Dutch Association of Cigarette and Cigarette Tobacco Manufacturers (VSK Tabak) criticised the plan as “ill-considered and unwise”, arguing that while adults are allowed to “take out mortgages, get married, buy alcohol, smoke cannabis and be deployed in war zones”, it is “incomprehensible” that they would not be deemed mature enough to decide whether to buy tobacco or other nicotine products.
VSK Tabak also said the current age limit of 18 has never been formally evaluated, questioning the purpose and effectiveness of raising it to 21, and warning it could fuel illegal trade and cross-border purchases.
Meanwhile, neighbouring Germany is debating a national tobacco tax increase but not a change to the minimum age, which remains 18. Belgium also allows tobacco and nicotine vape sales from 18, but banned disposable vapes in January 2025.
