The list of places where smoking is banned is extended and the restriction will no longer refer only to traditional cigarettes, but also to electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products and hookahs. At the same time, in order to prevent the introduction of new types of products manufactured by the tobacco industry on the market, the notion of "nicotine ouches" is introduced in the national legislation, and their placing on the market will be prohibited. Parliament gave a first reading to the set of measures proposed by the Ministry of Health to prevent and combat smoking, IPN reports.
Minister of Health Ala Nemerenco said in Parliament that the ban on smoking in particular public spaces is extended to cover sports fields, water parks, swimming pools and beaches. Also, smoking will be prohibited in public transport stations, in open public spaces of social, cultural and sports institutions, regardless of the type of property, along with medical and educational institutions, which were already included in the existing legal norms.
The ban also applies to the common use areas of apartment buildings and dormitories, such as stairs, corridors, landings and elevator cabins. According to the minister, smoking is also prohibited within 10 meters of the window and the entrance to closed public spaces.
The bill toughens fines for smoking in prohibited places. These will be up to 15,000 lei for legal entities, with ban on carrying out a particular activity for a period of up to one year. Individuals who smoke in prohibited places will be fined up to 2,250 lei or will be given 40 to 60 hours of community service. Harsher fines will also be imposed on people who will sell tobacco products in prohibited places or to minors. They will face fines of up to 20,000 lei.
The bill also refers to the common smoking ban sign, which will no longer include only traditional cigarettes, but also electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products and hookahs. Stricter requirements will be introduced for heated tobacco products, with the obligation to apply graphic warnings, and nicotine pouches will be banned.
"The WHO reiterates that nicotine pouches are very harmful to health, especially to the nervous and cardiac systems. The tempting properties, such as flavors, attract new consumers among young people up to 25 years old, and nicotine in these pouches, especially of synthetic origin, mainly affects the brain, which by this age is not sufficiently developed," said the minister.
Ala Nemerenco noted that the proposed changes will enter into force gradually, in three months of the publication in the Official Gazette until 2027, in the case of provisions that set down new requirements for product labeling and require packaging changes.
