Ukrainian Lawmaker Proposes Ban on Vapes, Heated Tobacco Devices and Hookahs for Under-17s

Apr.28
Ukrainian Lawmaker Proposes Ban on Vapes, Heated Tobacco Devices and Hookahs for Under-17s
Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada has registered a bill that would ban the use of tobacco products, vapes, hookahs, herbal smoking mixtures and heated tobacco devices by people under 17. The bill was introduced by People’s Deputy Georgiy Mazurashu and has already been sent to the relevant parliamentary committee. The author said one reason for the initiative is the prevalence of vaping among adolescents.

Key Takeaways

  • Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada has registered a bill that would ban the use of tobacco products, vapes and hookahs by people under 17.
  • The bill was initiated by People’s Deputy Georgiy Mazurashu.
  • The proposed ban would cover cigarettes, e-cigarettes, hookahs, herbal smoking mixtures and heated tobacco devices.
  • The bill has already been sent to the relevant parliamentary committee.
  • The article cites a WHO international study saying nearly one in five teenagers aged 13 to 15 uses e-cigarettes.

2Firsts, April 27,2026 

 

According to the report, Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada has registered a bill that would ban the use of tobacco products, vapes and hookahs by persons under 17.

 

The bill was introduced by Georgiy Mazurashu


The report said the initiative was introduced by People’s Deputy Georgiy Mazurashu. The document proposes amendments to legislation concerning restrictions on the use of tobacco and nicotine products by minors.


According to the report, products that could fall under the ban include cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, hookahs, herbal smoking mixtures and tobacco heating devices.

 

The bill has been sent to the relevant parliamentary committee


The article said the bill has already been transferred to the relevant parliamentary committee for consideration.


The author of the initiative explained the need for such changes by pointing to the spread of vaping among teenagers. According to an international WHO study, nearly one in five adolescents aged 13 to 15 uses electronic cigarettes.

 

The article said nearly half of teenagers face no difficulty buying cigarettes


In addition, the report said that nearly half of teenagers do not face difficulties purchasing cigarettes despite the age restrictions currently in force.

 

The author said Ukraine may later introduce stricter restrictions


The report also said the author of the initiative допускает that Ukraine may in the future introduce stricter restrictions following the example of other countries.

 

The article also mentions a drug trafficking case involving electronic smoking devices and data on Europe’s shadow vape market


The report also said that, under the procedural guidance of prosecutors from the Office of the Prosecutor General, an organized group was uncovered that had arranged the smuggling of drugs from an EU country and their sale across Ukraine in the form of electronic smoking devices.


In addition, a study by Germany’s Fraunhofer IIS institute and MRU GmbH found that 48% of the e-cigarette market in Europe is in the shadow economy, and that 90% of that product comes from China.

 

Image source: UA

 

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