Latvia Plans to Ban e-cigarette Use at Residential Windows

Dec.12.2024
Latvia Plans to Ban e-cigarette Use at Residential Windows
Latvia Health Ministry plans to restrict e-cigarette use near residential windows, following EU council call for extended public exposure limits.

According to a report from Latvian Radio on December 10th, the Latvian Ministry of Health plans to propose new restrictions, prohibiting the use of e-cigarettes in residential building windows.


The Council of Employment, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Affairs of the European Union is calling for an expansion of restrictions on public exposure to e-cigarettes. Currently, Latvia prohibits smoking or using e-cigarettes on balconies, stairwells, train platforms, bus stops, and other public areas including educational institutions and workplaces. National police and municipal police are responsible for monitoring whether the public is smoking in unauthorized areas, with violators facing warnings or fines of up to 100 euros. In the future, Latvia may also ban the use of e-cigarettes in residential windows, public spaces, and dining establishments.


The Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Health, Artjoms Uršuļskis, stated that they will be implementing regulations targeting smoking in windows, with the aim of protecting the public from the impact of both tobacco and e-cigarette smoke.


Currently it is not clear when this regulation will take effect, but the Ministry of Health has indicated that it may be discussed next year.


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