Manufacturing and marketing of smoking-related products will be subject to licensing

Press release, 6 November 2020

 

The Seimas adopted amendments to the Law on Control of Tobacco, Tobacco Products and Related Products (draft No XIIIP-3903(2)). The amendments introduce the licensing of manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade of tobacco-related products, impose restrictions on retail outlets and retail sales methods, and tighten economic sanctions for violations of this Law.

 

According to Vytautas Kernagis, MP, author of the legislative proposal, neither manufacturing, nor sale of tobacco-related products are currently licensed, which complicates the control of entities selling these products and makes these products highly available.

 

The amendments provide for the same restrictions on retail outlets and retail sales methods of tobacco-related products as of tobacco products. In Lithuania, the prohibition will apply to the sale of tobacco-related products through vending machines, shops, kiosks and other retail outlets, where the proportion of goods intended for children constitutes 50% or more of the retail turnover, as well as in pharmaceutical enterprises, health care, educational and cultural establishments, internet cafes, internet clubs, etc.

 

The amended Law will not only prohibit selling, but also smoking (consuming) and possession of electronic cigarettes and refill containers by persons under 18 years of age. In addition, websites will be banned from showing prices of tobacco-related products, including electronic cigarettes, refill containers of electronic cigarettes and herbal products for smoking.

 

These measures should help to reduce the access to electronic cigarettes and/or refill containers, in particular for minors.

 

Scheduled to enter into force on 1 May 2021, the new amendments were adopted by 67 votes in favour to 1 against and 2 abstentions, with 72 MPs being registered for voting.

 

Rimas Rudaitis, Chief Specialist, Press Office, Information and Communication Department, tel. +370 5 239 6132, e-mail: [email protected]