New restrictions will be imposed on smokers. Smoking will be banned in open public spaces, such as terraces, waiting stations, amusement parks. Moreover, the restrictions apply not only to regular cigarettes, but also to electronic cigarettes. The Minister of Health said that the draft law is on the Cabinet’s agenda, went through public consultations and is to be approved soon. Ala Nemerenco refuted the information that electronic cigarettes are less harmful than ordinary tobacco products and noted that all types of cigarettes will be banned in open public spaces by law, IPN reports.
Under the bill, smoking will be prohibited on the territory of amusement parks, in recreation and leisure areas designated as such by the local public authorities, in water parks, but also near swimming pools. The official said that the restrictions apply to types of tobacco products as heated tobacco products are as harmful as conventional cigarettes.
“These are amendments to the law on tobacco control. We had public consultations with society and the business community. All the opinions from all the ministries involved are positive. The draft law is in the Government’s Chancellery, it is on the Cabinet’s agenda. We proposed instituting control over the common public space. This means terraces, open spaces, waiting stations. We must understand that the electronic cigarette and its use spread much faster than tobacco. It is absolutely false that the electronic cigarette or heated tobacco is less harmful than the conventional cigarette. The law stipulates that no doctor can promote the electronic cigarette. It is forbidden and the person can lose the right to work. The electronic cigarette has vapor and nicotine. When it is carried away by the vapor, it is wet, heavier and it will definitely reach the bronchi much more easily. Electronic cigarettes are much more dangerous. Moreover, the flavored cigarette entices. The taste of lemon or mint is very attractive and people can smoke much more and that is more dangerous,” Ala Nemerenco stated in the talk show “The Shadow Cabinet” on JurnalTV.
According to the minister, the law will introduce a single sign prohibiting smoking, and from 2026 the sale of flavored tobacco products will be banned.
“According to research, in our country, in the Republic of Moldova, the use of electronic cigarettes by young people has increased a lot. The number of adolescents who smoke these cigarettes has increased. We amended the law and from 2026 the country will no longer sell flavored electronic cigarettes because they attract the young people as they are tempting. But passive smoking also causes very high mortality. We have a duty before future generations to imbed correct social behavior. Those who smoke only need to take a few steps aside. We will have signs everywhere. Until now, the ban sign was only on the cigarette from which smoke came out, but now we aim to have all types of cigarettes under the ban sign in public spaces,” said Ala Nemerenco.
According to a study conducted in 2019, over 16% of the young people aged 13-15 years in the Republic of Moldova consumed tobacco products, including heated tobacco products, and about 13% used electronic cigarettes.
