Serbia Bans Retailers From Selling E-cigarettes to Young People

According to foreign media reports today, under a recent amendment to Serbia’s Consumer Protection Law, sellers of e-cigarettes and other tobacco products will be fined about 430 euros (US$469) for selling to minors.

According to EurActive, minors in Serbia have been able to buy e-cigarettes and similar products at local markets, kiosks, and even cafes, but sellers will now be penalized for selling such products.

“This issue has not been regulated within the legislative system of the Republic of Serbia. Products such as e-cigarettes, whether they contain nicotine or not, have not been clearly defined, nor has their sale to minors been prohibited. That is precisely why there is an urgent need to emphasize the regulatory action now being implemented,” Serbia’s Ministry of Domestic and Foreign Trade said.

The relevant ministry announced that it has begun work on amending this part of the Consumer Protection Law, considering it an important nationwide issue.

“The main goal is to prohibit the sale of products such as e-cigarettes to minors, who are a particularly sensitive category. Accordingly, the sale, service, and gifting of these products will also be subject to sanctions,” the ministry said.

The ministry stated that under the new decision, merchants who sell goods to minors will be fined 50,000 dinars (about 430 euros).

The growing popularity of e-cigarettes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems among non-smoking youth and adults represents a major public health issue, as they encourage nicotine addiction and expose users to carcinogens.

According to the ministry, they also increase the likelihood that individuals will begin using other tobacco products such as cigarettes.

“All studies conducted have concluded that by using e-cigarettes, regardless of whether they contain nicotine, not only is water vapor released into the air, but also certain chemicals. The harmful effects of these products are reflected in personal health and spread widely to all components of the environment,” it added.

The legal changes will prohibit the sale, service, and gifting to persons under 18 of electronic cigarettes containing or not containing nicotine, as well as other products used for smoking, inhaling, sucking, chewing, or inhaling vapor.