Latvia Approves Amendments to Tobacco and Vaping Laws

Mar.27.2023

Latvian parliament supports revised law on e-cigarettes, including restrictions on flavored products and raising age limit to 20.

According to Latvian television station on March 23, the Latvian parliament supported amendments to a bill in its second reading. The amendments include:

Experts suggest not implementing a full ban on e-cigarettes; instead, prohibiting the sale of flavored e-cigarette products and other nicotine-based products. Additionally, banning the sale of e-cigarette products and other nicotine-based products that have candy, snack, or toy-like packaging. The legal age to purchase nicotine-based products will be raised from 18 to 20. Smoking will also be prohibited in casinos. According to reports, the amended proposal received support from 79 members of Congress, while 6 opposed it.

In order for the proposed changes to take effect, the legal amendments must still be approved in the third and final reading in parliament.

It is reported that Latvia is one of the countries in Europe with the highest number of smokers, with over a third of its adult population smoking.

Reference(s):

Conceptually supports the purchase of tobacco products and e-cigarettes from the age of 20.

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