The right of non-smokers to breathe clean, untainted air and not be exposed to increased health risks should be given higher priority compared to smokers’ interests. On Thursday, 12 June, the Saeima adopted, in the second reading, a new legislative proposal restricting the sale, advertising and use of tobacco products. MPs voted in favour of a number of proposed measures tightening the anti-smoking rules and restricting the sale of tobacco products, including increasing the minimum age to buy cigarettes to 21. 

“MPs supported the initiative of the Latvian Medical Association to amend the law and take a firm stand by placing the rights of non-smokers to live in a smoke-free environment above the interests of smokers. Smokers will also have to face ever-increasing restrictions and inconveniences – stark reminders of the advisability of quitting the deadly habit,” says Aija Barča, Chairperson of the Saeima Social and Employment Matters Committee which was responsible for the legislative proposal. 

The Saeima decided to modify the purpose of the Law on Restrictions Regarding the Sale, Advertising and Use of Tobacco Products by establishing the general principle that smoking in the presence of others who object is strictly prohibited. 

The legislative proposal also outlines a number of additional smoking bans. Smoking in public places in the presence of others without their consent will be prohibited, along with smoking in the presence of children. Smoking on a balcony or French balcony of a residential building will be prohibited if other tenants have valid objections. 

The scope of the ban on smoking on staircase landings, in corridors and other common-use areas is extended to include a prohibition to smoke closer than 10 m from the entrance, exterior staircases or porches of residential buildings. 

The Committee also adopted a new definition of smoking that includes electronic cigarettes. Thus, these smoking bans will also apply to electronic cigarettes, the Chairperson of the Committee emphasised. 

The Saeima also intends to raise the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products to 21 years. When purchasing cigarettes, anyone from 21 to 25 years of age will have to present a valid ID without being asked to do so. A similar requirement is already applicable to persons under 25 years of age who purchase alcoholic beverages.

Along with other places where the sale of tobacco products has already been restricted, tobacco sales will also be banned from the premises of state and municipal institutions, as well as on-line stores. 
Amendments to the Law on Restrictions Regarding the Sale, Advertising and Use of Tobacco Products still have to be considered in the third reading by the Saeima.

Saeima Press Service