It is also planned to provide for criminal liability for the illegal circulation of e-cigarettes

On Thursday, the Ministry held a meeting of the State Commission on Smoking Restrictions, where reports were heard on the control of smoking restrictions established by law, including proposals to reduce underage smoking. Representatives of the Health Inspectorate (VI), the State Police (VP), the State Revenue Service (SRS) and the Consumer Rights Protection Center informed about the situation in the past year.

At the moment, the Saeima is continuing the review of amendments to the “Law on the circulation of tobacco products, herbal smoking products, electronic smoking devices and their liquids”, which also prohibit the placing on the market of electronic smoking device liquids and tobacco substitute products containing flavorings. The purpose of the proposal is to discourage children and young people from smoking and using products containing nicotine.

Among users, electronic cigarettes are most often called “vapes” or “cold”. The term “vaping” is used to reduce the negative associations associated with the term “smoking”, according to the responsible services. In the sense of the Tobacco Law, the use of electronic smoking devices is also smoking and is subject to the restrictions that apply to traditional tobacco products, the Ministry of Justice explained.

VI data show that from 2020, a rapid increase in sales of e-cigarettes and refill bottles can be observed in Latvia. In the last three years, the number of outlets announced remains at a high level – hundreds of new outlets where you can buy e-cigarettes were registered every year. There are currently 2,596 e-cigarette sales outlets.

In total, last year the VP drew up 1,600 administrative violation protocols for smoking, if it was done by a minor, which is more than the year before. On the other hand, 1149 administrative protocols have been drawn up for the purchase and storage of e-cigarettes, if this was done by a child. In addition, the municipal police are also monitoring the situation.

On the other hand, during the session, the SRS drew attention to the expected risks if the amendments to the Tobacco Law regarding the prohibition of aromas in e-cigarette liquids and tobacco substitute products come into effect, as well as emphasized the impact of excise tax on consumption. The service made proposals – to introduce a completely new concept for the development of control mechanisms, also providing for stricter punishment mechanisms, to take into account the excise tax as an effective means of limiting availability. According to the SRS, the restrictions on smoking products implemented throughout the EU work much more effectively.

The National Commission on Smoking Control agreed to continue working on several proposals. Namely, to provide for criminal liability also for illegal circulation of e-cigarettes, including storage and transfer, currently such liability is for illegal circulation of tobacco products, as well as to clarify the regulation on internet trade included in the Tobacco Law.

The commission also agreed to regularly inform e-cigarette retailers about the restrictions set out in the Tobacco Act, to also inform the public about where to turn if they see possible violations, to send an official letter to the European Commission, calling for a ban on adding flavorings to electronic smoking devices throughout the EU, to regularly review excise duties rates for all tobacco and nicotine-containing products, as well as in the future to provide a requirement for e-cigarette dealers to obtain a special permit (license), similar to what is currently required for tobacco products.

The MoI, when developing the smoking restriction policy, follows the evaluations and recommendations made by the World Health Organization, as well as follows the practice of other EU countries.