Latvia Plans to Ban Sales of Tobacco and E-Cigarettes to People Under 20

Today, on April 4, it was reported that the Latvian Parliament passed an amendment on March 23 in its second reading, planning to prohibit the sale of tobacco products, alternative products, herbal smoking products, electronic smoking devices, and refills to individuals under 20 years of age.

79 members voted in favor of the amendment, while 6 members voted against it.

For the ban to take effect, the parliamentary amendment still needs support in the third reading (final reading).

Currently, individuals aged 18 and above can access tobacco and alternative products.

The legal amendment also prohibits the sale of liquids for electronic smoking devices and alternative tobacco products containing flavorings.

At the same time, there are plans to restrict the production and sale of tobacco products, alternative tobacco products, or electronic smoking devices that resemble candies, snacks, and toys.

Inga Bērzi?a, chair of the Social and Labor Affairs Committee, previously stated that the money generated from the trade of smoking products cannot be more important than human health and life. In her assessment, it is particularly important to care for the health of vulnerable groups—children and young people—by minimizing the appeal of smoking products.

The majority of the Saeima also supported a proposal from opposition representative Armands Krauze (Green Farmers' Union) to ban smoking within the Saeima and Cabinet buildings.