Top Stories from Netherlands
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 €.
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.
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.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
in Netherlands
NRT is legal to market.
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.
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
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.