Heat-not-burn tobacco products are not less harmful than smoking and therefore should be subject to the same excise taxes and regulations as standard tobacco products, argued the proponents of a draft amendment to the Tobacco Law during a public consultation held on Wednesday.

MP Radu Marian (ACUM/PAS), a co-sponsor of the bill, said the products “have invaded the Moldovan market,” enjoying “a very high freedom of promotion, despite being as harmful as conventional cigarettes.” Currently the excise tax imposed on such products is 11 times lower. Therefore, went on Marian, Parliament needs to adjust the tax and administrative offense legislation.

Another measure proposed is to introduce the requirement for heat-not-burn products to display health warning labels just like other tobacco products.

MP Elena Bacalu (PDM), chair of Parliament’s social protection and health commission, suggested that the money from additional tax revenues could be partially redirected to fund smoking prevention programs. 

The proposals were supported by Ion Șalaru, department head at the National Public Health Agency, who also spoke on behalf of the Ministry of Health.

Across the table, Aneta Zasavitchi, president of the Association of Restaurants of Moldova, argued that the proposed amendments would introduce new restrictions with little effect. Serghei Andronic, who registered to the consultation as a member of the public, said that he could “really feel the difference” switching from conventional smoking to the alternative products.

Lawyer Sergiu Covali said Parliament needs to be careful, because the proposed date of 1 January 2020 for the new rules to take effect is on short notice, which could lead the industry to sue for damages.