E-cigarettes & vapes in Switzerland: What the Tobacco Products Act allows
As of 4 November 2026. General information, not legal advice.
Anyone looking to buy an e-cigarette in Switzerland should distinguish between current law and changes that have been adopted but are not yet in force. This guide explains the rules of the Tobacco Products Act, focusing on the 2 ml limit for disposable vapes and the restriction on supply to people aged 18 and over. It also puts the advertising revision into context, with its entry into force expected in early 2027.
Key takeaways
- The Tobacco Products Act (TabPG, SR 818.32) and the Tobacco Products Ordinance (TabPV) have been in force since 1 October 2024.
- The TabPG covers e-cigarettes with and without nicotine, including e-liquids, as well as nasal snuff, snus and nicotine pouches.
- Supplying these products to minors is prohibited. Vapes are therefore subject to a minimum age of 18.
- Disposable e-cigarettes and disposable cartridges must have a capacity of no more than 2 ml. The legal basis is Art. 9 TabPG; the Federal Supreme Court confirmed this in judgment 2C_353/2025.
- The revision implementing the initiative “Children and young people without tobacco advertising” has been adopted but is not yet in force. It is expected to enter into force in early 2027.
What does the Tobacco Products Act regulate?
The Federal Act on Tobacco Products and Electronic Cigarettes is known by its short title, the Tobacco Products Act, or TabPG, and has the Classified Compilation number SR 818.32. Together with the Tobacco Products Ordinance, it forms the legal framework described here. Both have been in force since 1 October 2024.
The name may suggest that the Act applies only to conventional tobacco products. In fact, it also covers e-cigarettes and e-liquids. Nasal snuff, snus and nicotine pouches also fall within its scope. Whether a vape contains tobacco or nicotine is therefore not the only factor in determining its legal classification.
Are e-cigarettes legal in Switzerland?
Yes, e-cigarettes are not banned as a general category in Switzerland. They are, however, subject to the TabPG. For the issues addressed here, this means in particular: no supply to minors and a maximum capacity of 2 ml for disposable e-cigarettes and disposable cartridges.
This general answer does not confirm that every device on sale meets all requirements. An overview of the law and an assessment of a specific product are different things. This article focuses on the rules explicitly described.
Does the Act also apply to nicotine-free vapes?
Yes. The TabPG covers e-cigarettes both with and without nicotine, including e-liquids. A nicotine-free vape therefore does not fall outside the scope of the Act simply because it contains no nicotine.
This is particularly important when it comes to the age limit: nicotine-free does not mean that an e-cigarette may be supplied to minors. Similarly, the 2 ml limit described here for disposable e-cigarettes and disposable cartridges is not restricted to versions containing nicotine.
When browsing the product range, two questions should therefore be considered separately: what type of product is it, and does the e-liquid contain nicotine? The E-liquids for e-cigarettes category also includes products within the scope of the TabPG. The question of nicotine content is therefore no substitute for determining the legal classification of the product type.
Disposable vapes: the 2 ml limit
In Switzerland, disposable e-cigarettes and disposable cartridges must have a capacity of no more than 2 ml. This limit is set out in Art. 9 TabPG and was confirmed by the Federal Supreme Court in judgment 2C_353/2025. It is the key requirement when assessing the capacity of a disposable vape.
What does “no more than 2 ml” mean?
It refers to the maximum capacity of the disposable products mentioned. The limit is 2 ml; a larger capacity does not meet this requirement. Millilitres measure volume, not nicotine strength or the number of puffs.
When reading a product description, you should therefore look for the stated e-liquid volume or capacity. A claim about the possible number of puffs does not answer the question of volume. A product name alone is also not enough to determine its capacity.
Why disposable cartridges are explicitly included
The rule names disposable cartridges as well as disposable e-cigarettes. Attention should therefore not be limited to complete disposable devices. For a cartridge, it is equally relevant to establish whether it is classified as disposable and what capacity is stated.
The term “pod” alone does not answer this question. In the Replacement pods for vapes section, it is therefore worth reading each product description carefully. What matters for the limit explained here is the classification as a disposable cartridge, not simply the name of the shop category.
The 2 ml requirement for these disposable products does not support a blanket statement about every e-liquid bottle or every other vape system. This guide deliberately confines itself to the confirmed limit for disposable e-cigarettes and disposable cartridges. If clear information about a specific product is missing, the unresolved question should be clarified before purchase.
Vapes only for those aged 18 and over
In Switzerland, supplying products covered by the TabPG to minors is prohibited. Vapes may therefore only be supplied to people aged 18 and over. The rule covers e-cigarettes with and without nicotine.
The term “supply” is important: the legal requirement is not merely an age recommendation for using a product. When it comes to buying, the position is clear: minors must not be supplied with vapes. This also applies if the selected e-liquid is nicotine-free.
The age limit also applies to the other product groups mentioned here that fall within the scope of the TabPG: e-liquids, nasal snuff, snus and nicotine pouches. Different product names do not change this shared age limit.
Vapestubä sells exclusively to people aged 18 and over. This article is accordingly intended for adult readers. It describes the age requirement without assuming particular age-verification procedures or making statements about their technical implementation.
What is expected to change in 2027
The revision implementing the initiative “Children and young people without tobacco advertising” has been adopted. However, as of the date stated in this article, it is not yet in force. It is expected to enter into force in early 2027.
These three statements must be read together: the revision has been adopted, the revised rules do not yet apply, and the expected date is provisional. “Adopted” and “in force” describe different legal statuses.
Distinguishing current law from the adopted revision
- In force since 1 October 2024: the TabPG and TabPV as the current legal framework.
- Adopted but not yet in force: the revision implementing the initiative “Children and young people without tobacco advertising”.
- Expected in early 2027: the entry into force of this revision.
The adopted advertising revision must therefore not be described as though it were already in effect. Conversely, the current age limit and the 2 ml limit for the disposable products mentioned are not rules that only become relevant with this revision. This overview makes no further statements about individual future advertising requirements.
Summary table
The table summarises the product groups discussed. It is intended as a guide and is not a complete list of all product-related requirements.
| Product | Covered by the TabPG | Minimum age for supply | Key point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disposable e-cigarettes with or without nicotine | Yes | 18 years | Maximum capacity of 2 ml |
| Disposable cartridges | Yes | 18 years | Maximum capacity of 2 ml |
| Other e-cigarettes with or without nicotine | Yes | 18 years | Nicotine-free products are not exempt from the Act's scope |
| E-liquids with or without nicotine | Yes | 18 years | Included within the Act's scope |
| Nasal snuff, snus and nicotine pouches | Yes | 18 years | Also covered by the Act |
What this means when buying in Switzerland
For adult buyers, a structured check is more useful than a blanket statement such as “vapes are allowed”. In the Vapes and starter kits category, the first step should be to identify the specific product type. You can then read the information about the device or cartridge with that in mind.
For the questions addressed in this guide, the following sequence is useful:
- Identify the product type: Is it a disposable e-cigarette, a disposable cartridge or another system?
- Check the capacity: Disposable e-cigarettes and disposable cartridges may have a capacity of no more than 2 ml.
- Observe the age limit: Products may only be supplied to people aged 18 and over, including nicotine-free vapes.
- Distinguish the legal status: Information about the adopted advertising revision does not automatically describe current law.
These steps help connect the product description with the legal overview. They do not replace a full assessment of an individual product. If any shop information is unclear, Vapestubä can be contacted at info@vapestube.ch or by telephone on 078 306 22 24, Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 17:00.
Conclusion
E-cigarettes are not banned as a general category in Switzerland, but they are subject to the Tobacco Products Act. When buying, the restriction on supply to people aged 18 and over and the maximum capacity of 2 ml for disposable e-cigarettes and disposable cartridges are particularly important. Nicotine-free vapes are also covered by the Act.
The TabPG and TabPV have been in force since 1 October 2024. The adopted advertising revision must be distinguished from these: it is not yet in force and is expected to take effect in early 2027. Keeping this distinction clear prevents future changes from being confused with requirements that already apply.
Nicotine is addictive.
Frequently asked questions
Are e-cigarettes legal in Switzerland?
Yes, they are not banned as a general category. E-cigarettes are subject to the TabPG; the requirements discussed here include the age limit and the 2 ml limit for disposable e-cigarettes and disposable cartridges.
How old do you have to be to buy vapes in Switzerland?
You must be at least 18. Supplying vapes to minors is prohibited. This applies to e-cigarettes with and without nicotine.
How much e-liquid can a disposable vape hold in Switzerland?
Disposable e-cigarettes and disposable cartridges must have a capacity of no more than 2 ml. The legal basis is Art. 9 TabPG, confirmed by the Federal Supreme Court in judgment 2C_353/2025.
Does the Tobacco Products Act also apply to nicotine-free vapes?
Yes. The TabPG covers e-cigarettes with and without nicotine, including e-liquids. The absence of nicotine does not place a product outside this scope.
What is expected to change in 2027?
The adopted revision implementing the initiative “Children and young people without tobacco advertising” is expected to enter into force in early 2027. As of 4 November 2026, it is not yet in force.