Moldova will tighten measures to prevent and control smoking and will introduce new restrictions on the sale and consumption of tobacco products, similar products and smokeless products
This is stipulated by the amendments to some normative acts on tobacco control, passed by the Parliament in the first reading. The draft law, developed by the Ministry of Health jointly with the National Public Health Agency, contains provisions related to the expansion of the list of places where smoking is prohibited, requirements for labeling of all tobacco and similar products, as well as an increase in fines. The legislative proposals apply to all types of tobacco and similar products - cigarettes, e-cigarettes, activated tobacco heating devices or hookahs. Fines for smoking in prohibited places will be toughened. For legal entities, they will amount up to 15 thousand lei with deprivation of the right to engage in certain activities for up to 1 year. At the same time, people who smoke in prohibited places will be fined up to 2250 lei or sent to unpaid community service for 40 to 60 hours. Tougher fines will also be applied to people who sell tobacco products in prohibited places or to minors. They will face a fine of up to 20 thousand lei. The draft law prohibits the sale of tobacco products through mobile and mobile itinerant trade objects. It also prohibits the sale without documents issued by manufacturers or importers, confirming the origin of tobacco products, accompanying goods, devices and accessories for their use, recharging or heating, etc. Another provision concerns the expansion of the list of places where smoking will be prohibited. Smoking will be prohibited in open public areas of premises, including the territories of state authorities, medical, sanitary, educational, social, cultural and sports institutions. It will also be prohibited to smoke within 10 meters of open windows and entrances to enclosed public spaces and offices; on children's playgrounds, sports grounds, amusement parks, water parks, pools and beaches; at and near public transport stops; and in common areas of residential buildings (staircases, corridors, elevators, common balconies). Similarly, employers and owners of public places are required to provide a smoke-free environment. The draft law 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 associated risks. Health warnings must occupy 30% of the surface of the packaging. There are also new bans on advertising and sponsorship of tobacco and related products, including in video games and TV programs. According to statistics, 3 out of 10 adult Moldovan citizens are smokers, and more than 1/4 consume tobacco products daily. In recent years, the number of smokers among adolescents has been growing rapidly. According to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey, in 2019, 1/3 of teens have tried smoking e-cigarettes at least once. The draft law aims to harmonize national legislation with the strict norms of the EU legislation, with the provisions of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, as well as to ensure the protection of citizens from the harmful effects of tobacco products. The provisions of the draft law will be implemented in stages, depending on the complexity of the measures. The legislative initiative will be considered in the second reading. // 14.03.2025 - InfoMarket.
