Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies

The amendments to the law on circulation, advertising, and use of tobacco products stipulate stricter no smoking rules and restrictions on tobacco trade.

Saeima also introduced amendments that stipulate that smoking in the presence of non-smokers without their approval is prohibited, the Saeima Press Service informed LETA.

Deputies also introduced a new smoking definition by supplementing it with items in regard to electronic cigarettes. Thus, smoking restrictions will also apply to electronic cigarettes.

The amended law applies within territories of medical institutions, social care centers, rehabilitation institutions, prisons, as well as balconies and loggias of apartment houses, on the condition if other inhabitants have any objections to smoking.

Smoking is also prohibited in the presence of a child or any other person in public places if they object to it.

Persons, aged between 18 and 25, are obliged to voluntarily present an ID when purchasing tobacco products.

The motion to raise the legal tobacco purchase age to 21 was scrapped, as the legal smoking age in Latvia is 18.