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Smoking, vaping, HTP, NRT and snus in Netherlands

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  3. Smoking, vaping, HTP, NRT and snus in Netherlands
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Netherlands Flag
Cigarettes
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
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Netherlands Flag
Cigarettes
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT

11% of the adult population are current smokers

There are approximately 1.6 million current smokers in Netherlands

Country profile
Data sourced: 2024.   Page updated: 2025-01-07

Smoking in Netherlands

The overall smoking prevalence in the Netherlands has been decreasing since 2006. 23.4% of the adult population in the Netherlands are current smokers, down from 29% in 2006. This means there are now approximately 3.3 million smokers in the country. 25.6% of men smoke and for women the figure is 21.3%.

The most recent data show there were 29,989 annual deaths from tobacco-smoking related diseases (approximately 11,900 women and 18,100 men). The annual percentage of all deaths attributable to tobacco smoking was 21.11% (women: 16.1%; and men: 24.4%).

Nicotine vapes (e-cigarettes) are legal in the Netherlands and there are 146,900 vapers in the country, giving an adult vaping prevalence of 1.01%. There is a requirement to ensure vape packaging contains a health warning, and they can only be sold to those 18 and older. Vaping devices can be purchased without a prescription but there are legal restrictions on their use in public places.

Heated tobacco products are allowed and can be marketed but the situation is a bit more complicated for snus. While it is illegal to import snus for trade or buy the product online, it is possible to import it for personal use.

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) can be marketed and it is available to buy in pharmacies without a prescription. The NRT market in the Netherlands is worth €20.6 million.

For further information and full references, click through to the detailed datasheets above.

21,306

Deaths

In Netherlands, 21306 people die each year due to tobacco smoking.

20.6 million €

Market size of NRT.

NRT market size is estimated to be 20.6 million €.

Details & datasheet on smoking in Netherlands

Nicotine Vaping Devices

in Netherlands

The Netherlands abides by the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) (2014). E-cigarettes and e-liquids are regulated under the amended Tobacco and Smoking Commodities Act (and delegated legislation: the Tobacco and Smoking Commodities Decree and the Tobacco and Smoking Commodities Order), which also regulates non-nicotine products. Unlike smoking, there are currently no legal restrictions on public vaping, however this is due to change from July 2020 when vaping will be banned in non-smoking areas, although consultations on the ban are still in progress. Manufacturers can apply for a medical license, however no such license has been granted so far. Cross border sales are allowed as long as retailers register with the authorities in each country. E-cigarette and e-liquid advertisement is prohibited, except in tobacco or e-cigarette specialist shops. It is also prohibited to give away free samples of e-cigarettes. Nicotine-containing and non-nicotine e-cigarettes or refills must not bear a name, mark, symbol or any recognisable feature of tobacco products. There is no excise tax on e-cigarettes.

Details & datasheet on vaping in Netherlands

Heated Tobacco Products

in Netherlands

In the Netherlands, Article 19 of the EU Tobacco Products Directive covering novel tobacco products applies to heated tobacco products. Regulations cover reporting, notifications and health warning labels.

Details & datasheet on HTP in Netherlands

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

in Netherlands

NRT is legal to market.

Details & datasheet on NRT in Netherlands

Snus

in Netherlands

Used in Scandinavia for more than 200 years, snus is providing smokers in Sweden and Norway with an alternative to combustible cigarettes. Find out what it is, and why it is considered a safer nicotine product in our briefing paper.

Details & datasheet on snus in Netherlands

Pouches

in Netherlands

Nicotine pouches are a relatively new product which can provide users of high-risk tobacco with an alternative that poses fewer risks to their health. Read more about nicotine pouches in our briefing paper

Details & datasheet on pouches in Netherlands

Top Stories from Netherlands

June 11, 2025 by nltimes.nl

Story

Dutch doctors threaten legal action against snapchat over illegal vape sales

Doctors from LUMC, the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, and Rookpreventie Jeugd are threatening legal …

Regions: Europe Netherlands

May 28, 2025 by dutchnews.nl

Story

Teen vaping on the rise but fewer young adults smoke tobacco

Dutch teenagers' vaping rate rose to 7.6%, while smoking increased slightly among 12 to …

Regions: Europe Netherlands

April 02, 2025 by nltimes.nl

Story

Just under 185,000 illegal vapes were seized in the first quarter of the year

Around 185,000 illegal e-cigarettes and liquids were seized by the NVWA in the Netherlands …

Regions: Europe Netherlands

March 31, 2025 by youtube.com

Story

What's going on in the Netherlands? with Ivan Bik | Ep. 77

In this episode of Vaping Unplugged, we're joined by the one and only Ivan …

Regions: Europe Netherlands

March 12, 2025 by dutchnews.nl

Story

Dutch crack down on smoking and vaping, age limit may rise to 21

Junior health minister Vincent Karremans is considering raising the legal age to purchase cigarettes …

Regions: Europe Netherlands

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The GSTHR database is updated regularly by our team. However, please be aware that the information we provide does not constitute legal advice. We cannot guarantee that the information is up to date or accurate, as the regulatory status of different product categories can change at short notice and with little publicity. If you wish to check the legal status of use or possession of any safer nicotine product in a specific country or region, you should verify the information independently. If you have reason to think that the information supplied on the GSTHR is inaccurate, please contact us with details and any references and we will rectify any errors.
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