Seimas introduces more stringent requirements for products related to tobacco products and devices intended to be used for consumption of these products

Press release, 13 May 2021

 

The Seimas adopted amendments to the Law on Control of Tobacco, Tobacco Products and Related Products (draft No XIIIP-4620(2)), thereby introducing more stringent requirements for not only tobacco products, but also for tobacco-related products and devices intended to be used for the consumption of these products. The amendments come into effect as of 1 November 2021.

Photo by Olga Posaškova, Office of the Seimas

 

Under the new provisions, the prohibition will be extended to lead to a reduction of the purchase and consumption of tobacco products and related products (e.g. banning the distribution free of charge of tobacco-related products and devices intended to be used for their consumption and/or new samples thereof; banning the supply of tobacco-related products and devices as prizes for, or in conjunction with, lotteries, contests, sports competitions, and games; and banning to organise games, contests and lotteries that promote purchase and/or consumption of tobacco-related products and devices; banning to grant the customer the right to receive gifts in addition to tobacco-related products and devices, etc.).

 

The amendments to the Law prohibit announcing price reductions of tobacco, tobacco products, tobacco-related products and devices intended to be used for their consumption. It is also prohibited to sell the devices intended to be used for the consumption of tobacco to people under the age of 18.

 

Furthermore, the Seimas decided to revise the definitions of electronic cigarettes and electronic cigarettes refill containers seeking to better regulate the general requirements for quality and composition of nicotine-free electronic cigarettes and electronic cigarettes refill containers, in order to ensure more effective control, safety and quality of these tobacco products.

 

The new provisions were adopted by 117 MPs voting in favour and 1 abstention.

 

 

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