A majority of young people who have recently vaped are still using banned flavoured vapes, according to new figures from the Trimbos Institute. The findings are based on data collected in 2025. Almost all young people who vape say they are aware that the sale of flavoured vapes is prohibited in the Netherlands.
Among 100 young people who vape, 85 report having used a flavoured vape at least once. “This is concerning because flavours such as fruit or sweets make vapes attractive to young people,” says Esther Croes, a tobacco expert at the Trimbos Institute. “From the previous report, we know that many young people start vaping, or continue vaping for longer, precisely because of the flavours.”
The results come from the Trimbos Institute’s Youth Monitor on Tobacco and Nicotine Products. For the study, 5,726 young people aged 12 to 25 completed a questionnaire between February and March 2025. The survey focused on the use of tobacco, vapes and snus.
Multiple fines
Despite the ban, flavoured vapes have continued to be sold at hundreds of locations across the Netherlands in recent years. RTL Nieuws reports that nearly 250 vape sellers received multiple fines from the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) over the past four years. Many sellers continued trading after paying the fines.
Even after thousands of NVWA inspections, retailers continued to fail to comply with the ban on flavoured vapes. Some also sold vapes to minors. The violations occurred at a wide range of outlets, including tobacco shops, petrol stations, supermarkets and convenience stores
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