The German federal government is poised to implement a ban on disposable e-cigarettes, bowing to persistent pressure from regional authorities, particularly North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). Environmental State Secretary Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter announced the impending legislation during a session of the Bundesrat on Friday, stating that ongoing consultations with the states will determine the legal framework for the prohibition.
The move follows a series of escalating incidents involving fires at waste disposal sites and recycling facilities throughout NRW, directly attributed to improperly discarded disposable e-cigarettes. NRW’s Environment Minister Oliver Krischer, of the Green Party, hailed the impending ban, emphasizing the significant dual threat posed by these devices – harm to public health, particularly among young people and a mounting environmental crisis.
Krischer highlighted the financial burden of uncontrolled e-cigarette disposal, estimating that millions of these devices carelessly tossed into household or packaging waste are causing substantial damages. He further detailed the recurrent problem of battery-related fires plaguing waste sorting plants in NRW, stating that over 100 such incidents, frequently severe, occur annually, resulting in immense property damage. He expressed gratitude towards the federal government for finally addressing a concern repeatedly voiced by regional authorities.
However, the implementation of the ban faces a critical hurdle. State Secretary Schwarzelühr-Sutter cautioned that the European Commission’s endorsement is mandatory for the prohibition to be legally enforceable. She pointed out that France and Belgium have already navigated this process as a prerequisite for enacting similar bans within their respective countries. This dependence on EU approval raises questions about the timeline and potential modifications required to secure the ban’s validation, potentially delaying immediate impact and opening the possibility for industry lobbying efforts to influence the final regulatory framework. The situation underscores a broader tension between regional environmental concerns and the complex interplay of EU-level legislation, signalling a protracted legislative process ahead.