Heated Tobacco Products and Emerging Nicotine Product Use in Slovakia

This Report was written by Institute of Economic Research SAS in Slovakia. The report assesses the heated tobacco product (HTPs) and emerging nicotine product markets using scanner sales data, existing excise tax policy for these products, and consumer attitudes relative to other countries in the EU. Between June 2022 and June 2025, the findings show a steady increase in HTP sales with 6.3% average annual growth and significant increases in e-cigarette, e-liquid, and nicotine pouch sales, with 80.0%, 84.6%, and 32.2% annual growth, respectively. E-cigarette consumption in Slovakia is similar to the EU, while the share of HTP users in Slovakia is somewhat higher than the EU average. Notably, the proportion of Slovak consumers that find e-cigarettes, HTPs, and nicotine pouches attractive is more than double the EU average. Consumers in Slovakia prefer disposable devices which are more harmful for the environment. Users also prefer fruity flavors of e-liquids, although 49% view flavor bans favorably. Similarly, acceptance of restrictive measures is relatively good and comparable to attitudes across the EU. The researchers find that e-cigarette use increases significantly after age 13, especially among girls. Among girls, rates of experimentation, uptake, and frequency of use are higher compared to boys, highlighting a gender gap among youth. The report concludes with policy recommendations to strengthen excise taxation of emerging products and regulate emerging products to reverse consumption trends, especially among youth.