Parliament today adopted upon second reading a series of modifications to the Tobacco Control Law, the Tax Code and the Code of Administrative Offenses subjecting heat-not-burn tobacco products under the same taxation treatment and regulations as conventional cigarettes.
The amendment mandates in particular that the heat-not-burn tobacco packagings display warnings about how these products are addictive and dangerous to health. The message must be printed on the two largest sides and cover at least 30% of the respective surface area.
Under the modifications to the Tax Code, for heat-not-burn cigarettes the same excise tax rate shall apply as for conventional filtered cigarettes.
Further provisions establish penalties for non-compliance, including license withdrawal.
Subject to promulgation by the President, the bill will take effect on 1 January 2020, to allow time for operators to comply. However, the products placed on the market before the entry into effect shall continue to be marketed under the old rules until stocks run out.
