Health ministers and healthcare leaders from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania convened for a two-day meeting in Lithuania on Monday and Tuesday. In addition to drug policy, a key issue discussed was the restriction of electronic cigarettes and nicotine pouches among young people, as well as limiting their access to these products.
Health and Labor Minister Pippi Peterson (SDE) gave a speech this week at the Baltic Health Ministers Conference, held in Lithuania. Image source: Ministry of Social Affairs, November 15, 2022.
On November 16th, in a statement to ERR News, Minister of Health and Labour Peep Peterson (SDE) expressed the desire to reduce nicotine consumption, particularly among young people. Peterson noted that addictive products like nicotine may be difficult to regulate at the national level and suggested that cooperation with neighboring countries may lead to better results. This statement comes in light of concerns surrounding the harmful effects of nicotine on health and the appeal of nicotine products to younger generations.
The Estonian Minister acknowledges that the spread of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches is a concern shared by the Baltic states. He further stated that Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania must strengthen their active cooperation on this issue in order to truly implement existing regulations and support them through other measures.
In December 2017, three Baltic countries signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) agreeing to develop joint policies on alcohol, tobacco, and promoting good nutrition. Among other items, the memorandum includes provisions that the defense department will treat all tobacco and nicotine products equally, and regulate and strengthen oversight of new products including e-cigarettes and their liquid.
Estonia and Lithuania have banned flavored e-cigarettes that may be appealing to children, while Latvia's Saeima is currently processing similar legislation, which has already passed its second reading.
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