Moldova will increase fines for smoking in prohibited areas, expand the list of such areas, and introduce new restrictions on the sale and consumption of tobacco products, similar products, and smokeless products
This is provided for by amendments to certain regulatory acts concerning tobacco control, which were passed by parliament in the second reading. The bill, developed by the Ministry of Health in conjunction with the National Public Health Agency, contains provisions on expanding the list of places where smoking is prohibited, introducing uniform labeling requirements for all tobacco and similar products, and increasing fines. The legislative proposals apply to all types of tobacco products and similar goods, including cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, devices for heating activated tobacco, and hookahs. Fines for smoking in prohibited places will be increased. For legal entities, they will amount to up to 15,000 lei with the deprivation of the right to engage in certain activities for up to one year. At the same time, individuals who smoke in prohibited places will be fined up to 2,250 lei or sent to unpaid community service for a period of 40 to 60 hours. Stricter penalties will also apply to individuals who sell tobacco products in prohibited areas or to minors. They face fines of up to 20,000 lei. Another new measure is that placing nicotine pouches on the market will entail a fine of up to 4,500 lei for individuals and up to 15,000 lei for legal entities, with the deprivation of the right to carry out certain activities for a period of 6 months to 1 year. The bill prohibits the sale of tobacco products through mobile outdoor retail outlets. It is also prohibited to sell tobacco products, related goods, devices and accessories for their use, recharging or heating, etc. without documents issued by manufacturers or importers confirming their origin. Another provision concerns the expansion of the list of places where smoking will be prohibited. Thus, smoking will be prohibited in open public areas of buildings, including medical, educational, social, cultural, and sports facilities. Smoking is also prohibited within a radius of 10 meters from any point of the outer edge of thresholds, including at ground level, steps, ramps, railings, or porticos intended for public access to government buildings, social institutions, cultural institutions, sports facilities, regardless of ownership, as well as in buildings of organizations providing public services. Smoking is also prohibited near open windows and entrances to closed public premises and offices; on children's playgrounds, sports grounds, in amusement parks, zoos, water parks, swimming pools, and on beaches; at public transport stops and adjacent areas intended and used for boarding or alighting passengers, as well as pedestrian crossings. Similarly, employers and owners of public places are required to ensure a smoke-free environment. The bill introduces new labeling and warning requirements for related products such as e-cigarettes, iQos, and hookahs. They must contain clear warnings about nicotine content and related risks. Health warnings must cover 30% of the packaging surface. New bans on advertising and sponsorship of tobacco products and related products are also introduced, including in video games and television programs. According to statistics, 3 out of 10 adults in Moldova are smokers, and more than 1/4 consume tobacco products daily. In recent years, the number of smokers among teenagers has been growing rapidly. According to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey, in 2019 one-third of teenagers had tried electronic cigarettes at least once. The bill aims to harmonize national legislation with the strict standards of European Union legislation and the provisions of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, as well as to protect citizens from the harmful effects of tobacco products. The adopted law will come into force 12 months after its publication in Monitorul Oficial. //29.05.2025 — InfoMarket
