Göttingen: Vape shops open again – strictly monitored after closure!

Göttingen: Vape shops open again – strictly monitored after closure!

Something is happening in downtown Göttingen: after a change of operator, the vape shops are allowed to open their doors again. The city administration announced on Monday that the three affected shops, including “Smoke & Sweets” on Weender Strasse and “Star Vapes” on Groner-Tor-Strasse, are under new management and there are no concerns about the new operators. The stores were previously closed in mid-November 2023 due to serious violations of the Youth Protection Act and commercial regulations. The original operators had not adhered to the legal requirements during numerous checks, which ultimately led to a ban on the business.

The closures followed an acute risk situation, as the authorities determined. It turned out that, among other things, tobacco products and nicotine-containing liquids were given to young people. A 16-year-old seller was encountered during an inspection, highlighting the urgency of action. In order to prevent the issue from slipping further, the city has announced that it will continue to carefully monitor businesses to ensure that commercial law requirements and, in particular, the protection of minors are adhered to.

Background information on child protection

The protection of minors is a central issue when it comes to e-cigarettes and their sale to young people. In Germany, sales to under-18s have been banned since 2016, but there are still reports of unauthorized sales. A current report from the daily news highlights that the black market for e-cigarettes is growing rapidly and often offers products that are particularly appealing to young people. These are advertised in bright colors and with child-friendly motifs, which makes the topic even more complicated.

The results of a drug affinity study are particularly impressive, showing that 6.7% of 12 to 17 year olds already use disposable e-cigarettes. It is also alarming that 17% of this group have already tried such a product. Despite the declining trend among young people, child protection remains a major area of ​​responsibility that requires constant attention.

Positive developments and challenges

Fortunately, a current one shows DEBRA study that e-cigarette consumption among young people will have fallen significantly in 2024. The proportion of young people who use e-cigarettes fell from 2.3% in 2023 to 1.5% in 2024. The consumption of conventional tobacco products has also fallen, which provides evidence of successful youth protection campaigns. The efforts of the Association of German E-Cigarette Dealers (VdeH) show that education and awareness-raising can bear fruit.

But the challenges remain. The black market remains a serious problem and many young people continue to be supplied with e-cigarettes illegally. The VdeH emphasizes the urgent need for action to take action against such violations and to create safe conditions for the consumption of e-cigarettes. It is important to focus on preventive measures and launch further educational campaigns.

With the change of operator of the Göttingen shops, a first step is taken in a positive direction. The decisive factor for future development will be whether the city administration and the operators show a good hand in complying with the regulations. The authorities' eyes will probably remain vigilant on the businesses - for the sake of the young people.