Latvia Implements Strict Tobacco and E-cigarette Regulations - January 2

According to Baltija on January 2nd, Latvia has officially banned the sale of flavored e-cigarette liquid in the domestic market, and raised the minimum age limit for purchasing any tobacco products to 20 years old. However, employees aged 18 to 20 are allowed to sell tobacco products to customers who are at least 20 years old.

E-cigarette liquids and alternatives containing tobacco-flavored fragrances are still allowed for sale. In addition, Latvian law also prohibits the sale or purchase of tobacco products, tobacco alternatives, e-cigarette devices, and their refills through remote communication methods, including to countries outside of the European Union or European Economic Area.

According to the law, the State Revenue Service (SRS) and the Health Inspection Authority have the authority to inspect samples of tobacco products, herbal smoking products, e-cigarette devices, and new tobacco products at retail outlets and warehouses. This authority has now been expanded to include samples of tobacco alternatives.

The SRS has been authorized to confiscate tobacco products, alternatives, e-cigarette devices, and their refills sent through commercial mail from third countries to individuals. National and local police will be responsible for monitoring compliance with the sales ban on mentioned products, including tobacco alternatives.

Regulations also prohibit the production and sale of tobacco products and other smoking products that resemble candies, snacks, and toys. The revised legislation specifies the requirements that tobacco alternatives must meet in order to enter the market, including ingredient requirements, packaging labeling standards, and product additional information.

In addition, the law imposes fines for violations related to the distribution of tobacco alternatives, such as purchasing these products online and smoking in gambling establishments. The maximum nicotine concentration is limited to four milligrams per gram.

The law explicitly prohibits the sale of tobacco products containing mint, its derivatives, and menthol, while also significantly increasing fines for illegal distribution of tobacco products. Selling tobacco products, alternative products, herbal smoking products, e-cigarette devices, or their refills to individuals under the age of 20 will result in fines of 280 to 700 euros for sellers and potentially 700 to 7100 euros for businesses. Previously, fines for selling to individuals under 18 were 280 to 350 euros for sellers and 700 to 1400 euros for businesses.

The regulations also stipulate that self-extinguishing cigarettes that do not meet combustion and fire safety requirements are prohibited from being sold on the market.