The Cabinet approved the tobacco control bill which will extend prohibition of smoking in public spaces to include e-cigarettes, among other legislative modifications. However, compared to the original iteration, the bill dropped the prohibition for gas stations, outdoor dining spaces, open and semi-open public spaces where designated smoking areas are set up.

Minister of Health Ala Nemerenco said the bill is designed to protect the population, especially young people and children from the harm of tobacco.

“To prevent the access of minors to tobacco products, bans will be introduced on advertising and promotion of tobacco products and scenes depicting their consumption in audiovisual content, TV programs and computer games. The bill also lays out new rules for the packaging and labeling of heated tobacco products with the requirement for graphic health warnings to be applied. Also, safety rules are being introduced for filling electronic cigarettes”, said the minister.

The bill prohibits doctors from accepting any type of contribution from the tobacco industry and promoting any tobacco or related products as alternatives to smoking.

The legislative changes will take effect gradually, starting 3 months from the date of publishing in the Official Gazette and until 2027, in the case of the new product and packaging labeling requirements.