Using Cigarette Machines In Austria: A Quick Guide

Austria has a deeply entrenched smoking culture, with cigarettes readily available from tobacconists and cigarette machines. However, the process of purchasing cigarettes from a machine can be challenging, especially for tourists. Here's a guide on how to navigate the cigarette machines in Austria.

Age verification: 16+ only, use a bank card

If you're over 16 and want to purchase cigarettes from a vending machine in Austria, you'll need to verify your age using a bank card. Here's a step-by-step guide on what you need to do:

Firstly, locate a cigarette vending machine. These are often found inside bars, pubs, restaurants, or special smoking areas outside of these establishments. Once you've found a machine, you'll need to have your bank card ready. The machines only accept cards with an embedded chip, so ensure yours has one. It's also important to note that the card must be issued by an Austrian bank; foreign cards won't work.

When you're in front of the machine, you'll see a range of cigarette options to choose from. Make your selection by pressing the corresponding button for your preferred brand and type. Once you've made your choice, the machine will prompt you to insert your bank card. Insert your card into the slot and follow any on-screen instructions. The machine may ask you to enter your PIN or provide some form of identification to verify your age.

For age verification, the machine will check your date of birth associated with your bank card details. If you're 16 or older, the transaction will be approved. If you're under 16, the machine will decline the purchase and you won't be able to proceed. This is a strict legal requirement in Austria, and the machines are programmed to enforce these age restrictions.

After successful age verification, you'll be asked to confirm the purchase. Follow the on-screen prompts to finalise the transaction. The machine may ask you to sign or enter your PIN again for security purposes. Once the payment goes through, the machine will dispense your cigarettes, and you can collect them from the designated tray or slot.

It's important to note that the specific steps may vary slightly depending on the vending machine and its age verification system. However, the fundamental process remains consistent across Austria. Remember to carry a valid, chip-enabled bank card issued by an Austrian bank to successfully purchase cigarettes from these machines while ensuring compliance with the age verification requirements.

Card type: Austrian debit card only

When using cigarette vending machines in Austria, it's important to note that the machines typically only accept Austrian debit cards for payment. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use these machines with an Austrian debit card:

Locate a cigarette vending machine at a designated location, such as a street, gas station, or adult store. Ensure that the machine is operational by checking for a lit display and functioning buttons.

Approach the machine and look for the card reader slot, which is usually located below the product display or beside the selection buttons. The card reader may have instructions or brand markings, indicating it is designed for Austrian debit cards.

Insert your Austrian debit card into the card reader slot. Ensure that you insert the card with the chip facing the correct direction as indicated by the slot design.

Once the card is inserted, the machine will read the card details and prompt you to enter your PIN. Securely enter your PIN, being mindful of anyone around you to maintain your privacy.

After entering your PIN, the machine will validate your card and provide access to the product selection menu. Use the buttons on the machine to navigate and select your preferred cigarette brand and quantity.

Review your selection and the total cost, including the price of the cigarettes and applicable taxes, before finalizing your purchase. The machine should display all the relevant details for your confirmation.

Confirm the purchase by pressing the designated button, such as "Buy" or "OK." The machine will process your transaction and dispense the selected cigarettes into a tray or compartment for you to collect.

Remove your debit card from the slot, and don't forget to take your purchased cigarettes from the dispensing area.

Keep in mind that age restrictions apply when purchasing cigarettes in Austria. Be prepared to present valid identification if the cigarette vending machine has age verification requirements. Always carry your ID with you to avoid any issues when attempting to purchase cigarettes from these machines.

Additionally, be aware of any transaction limits associated with your Austrian debit card. These limits may impact the quantity of cigarettes you can purchase in a single transaction or within certain time periods.

Payment: Cash or card

In Austria, cigarette vending machines accept both cash and card. However, there are some important things to note when it comes to payment methods. Firstly, the machines do not accept credit cards, only debit cards. Secondly, the debit card must be issued by an Austrian bank; international credit and debit cards are not accepted. This means that tourists without an Austrian bank account may not be able to purchase cigarettes from the vending machines.

To use a debit card at a cigarette vending machine in Austria, you must first insert your card into the slot. The machine will then verify your age—as the minimum age to purchase cigarettes in Austria is 16—by checking that your card was issued in Austria and that you are over 16. Once your card has been verified, you can remove it from the slot. You can then insert cash into the machine; it accepts coins and banknotes with values of 5 or 10 euros. After inserting your cash, you can select your desired cigarette brand.

It is worth noting that some vending machines may only support contactless payments if your card has a "wireless wave" symbol on it. Additionally, these machines have a limit of five consecutive contactless payments. After reaching this limit, you must use your card in a payment terminal with your PIN or make a cash withdrawal from an ATM to reset the counter.

Brand selection: Choose your cigarettes

In Austria, there are a variety of cigarette brands to choose from, with 317 different packs on the market. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you select the right cigarettes from a vending machine:

Step 1: Identify Available Brands

First, you need to know which cigarette brands are available in Austria. The leading tobacco company in the country is JTI Austria, which has been operating in the country since 2007 and offers a range of products. Other major companies include Moosmayr GmbH, Philip Morris Austria GmbH, and DanCzek AT Gmbh, each offering a variety of brands.

Step 2: Understand Brand Options

Each company offers multiple brands, giving you a wide range of choices. Here is a breakdown of the number of brands offered by each company:

• JTI/Austria Tabak: 137 brands
• House of Smoke (HOS): 5 brands
• Moosmayr GmbH (GM): 73 brands
• Philip Morris Austria GmbH (PM): 31 brands
• M Tabak (M-T): 17 brands
• DanCzek AT Gmbh (DC): 32 brands

Step 3: Consider Brand Popularity

Some brands are more popular and established in Austria than others. Philip Morris International (PMI) is the market leader, with brands like Marlboro, Chesterfield, and L&M. JTI/Austria Tabak is also a significant player, with brands like Camel, Winston, and Benson & Hedges.

Step 4: Health Warnings

When choosing a brand, it is important to consider the health warnings on cigarette packs. By law, cigarette packaging in Austria must carry clear health warnings, and some packs may have new health warnings that you should be aware of.

Step 5: Make Your Selection

Now that you are familiar with the brand options, their popularity, and the health warnings, you can make an informed decision about which cigarettes to purchase. Insert your bank card into the vending machine, remove it, and then insert your cash. Finally, select the brand of your choice.

Remember, if you are a tourist, you will need to ask someone with a local bank card to help you make the purchase, as international cards do not work in Austrian cigarette vending machines.

Warning messages: EU law requirements

In 2001, a directive of the European Parliament and Council concerning the use of health warnings on cigarette packages became law. This law requires cigarette and tobacco packaging to carry clear health warnings, including graphic images of the health effects of tobacco, such as lung cancer. The warnings should cover a minimum of 30% of the front and 40% of the back of packages. For member states with two official languages, warnings must cover 45%, and for those with three, 50%. The EU picture library features 42 pictures to be used for these warnings.

The EU law also prohibits the use of terms such as "light" and "mild" on packaging. Tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide emission numbers are required to appear on the side of packages. These emission numbers are generated using the ISO machine smoking method.

A new Tobacco Product Directive (TPD) came into force on May 20, 2016, with stricter requirements. It mandates pictorial health warnings that cover the top 65% of the front and back of the package. Three different sets of 14 warnings will be rotated annually. Slim packages and the use of promotional and misleading descriptors such as "lite", "natural", and "organic" are prohibited. Member states have the option to require plain standardised packaging.

Frequently asked questions