Sweden’s highest administrative court has overturned an earlier judicial decision allowing the country’s national drug agency to ban the sale of e-cigarettes.

Companies wanting to distribute electronic cigarettes in Sweden have previously required a stamp of approval from the country’s Medical Products Agency (Läkemedelsverket), which has also been able to ban sales.

But on Wednesday, Sweden’s Supreme Administrative Court ruled that e-cigarettes are not medical products and therefore the agency could not oppose its sale.

“To be a medical product, it must have the ability to prevent or treat a disease and, therefore, provide a beneficial effect on human health,” the court’s ruling read.

The e-cigarettes “do not contain instructions on how they could be used to reduce the consumption of cigarettes or nicotine addiction”, according to the court.

E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that heat up a liquid containing nicotine and artificial flavouring. The vapour is inhaled – “vaped” – and exhaled, much like a cigarette.

In the last few years, health experts and watchdogs have been embroiled in debate as to whether the gadgets, often not strictly regulated, are safe.

They can also be used with nicotine-free liquids, but some fear e-cigarettes could be a gateway to “real” cigarettes for teenagers.

Regulations concerning e-cigarettes are changing rapidly and vary widely throughout Europe.