Not before 18:
applies also for
Vape tank.
Not before 18:
applies also for
Vape tank.
from
The Bochum Regional Court confirms: The sale of so-called unfilled pods without age verification is anti-competitive. Companies must ensure the protection of minors – otherwise there is a risk of cease and desist letters
Age control also for pods
In its ruling of 06.05.2025 – 12 O 11/25, the Bochum Regional Court ruled that the shipment of empty refill containers for e-cigarettes also requires an age check. The containers are usually part of the so-called pod, which consists of a tank/container and a vaporizer. These parts of refillable e-cigarettes and vapes have recently become increasingly popular, especially among young adults. As a result, the protection of minors and the associated legal requirements are increasingly coming into focus. If a company offers empty pods by mail order online without carrying out an age check, it is acting in an anti-competitive manner. The lawsuit was brought by the competitor of an online retailer who sold unfilled pods in his online shop without verifying the age of the customer.
There is also an infringement relevant to competition law […]. The shipping and delivery of the two articles offered by the defendant without age verification violates the
Youth Protection Act. This is because they are a component and not merely accessories of e-cigarettes.
Components and not just accessories
The defendant argued that the sale of empty tanks did not require age verification, as the tank alone was harmless and age verification was only required for filled e-cigarettes. However, the court did not follow this view, but clarified that the products sold (pods/tanks with vaporizer) are to be classified as essential components of e-cigarettes, even if they do not contain liquids, and not just as mere accessories. They are therefore considered products under the Youth Protection Act, the sale of which is only permitted after age verification.
According to the court, this is also supported by the legislator’s intention, which can be seen from the explanatory memorandum to the draft law. It states:
The products are available both as disposable products and as refill products, so that
the products and refill containers for electronic cigarettes and electronic shishas (containers) are included in the bans
“UNCLEAN HAnds” objection does not apply
From a competition law perspective, it is of interest that the court once again clarified that the so-called “unclean hands” defense – i.e. the reference to the plaintiff’s own misconduct – does not apply in the area of laws that affect the public interest. Accordingly, it was irrelevant that the defendant accused the plaintiff of having behaved in a similar way to itself in other jurisdictions. In such constellations, non-compliance with statutory provisions cannot be relativized by referring to the misconduct of others.
Conclusion
The decision makes it clear that one’s own behavior should not be aligned with that of other market participants. Even if competitors sell comparable products without age verification or do not comply with the law themselves, this in no way justifies their own negligence.
A legal review before entering the market or starting sales is therefore strongly recommended in order to avoid cease and desist letters, legal disputes and severe sanctions.
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