Biznes Fakty
Ban on e-cigarettes for minors in Poland. Sejm supports new regulations
On Wednesday, the Sejm approved a prohibition on selling all varieties of e-cigarettes to individuals under the age of 18. Additionally, the sale of nicotine-free e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches via distance channels, including online, along with their promotion, is also set to be banned.
A total of 417 members of parliament supported the government’s amendment to the legislation concerning health protection against the consequences of tobacco use. There was one vote against, and ten members abstained.
The Senate will now review the proposed legislation.
Katarzyna Sójka discusses issues of the National Health Fund
Prior to the vote, MP Katarzyna Sójka (PiS), the former Health Minister, took the podium with a query, stating among other points that „the National Health Fund has officially acknowledged the lack of funds for exceeding performance within the framework of unlimited services”. When questioned by the Speaker of the Sejm, Szymon Hołownia, about the relevance of her comments to the bill, she continued her remarks.
Sójka remarked, among other things, that „the minister (of health, Izabela – ed.) Leszczyna has been unable to allocate 3 billion zlotys from the medical fund for psychiatric services for an entire year”. When pressed further about how her statement pertains to the legislation, she insisted that „there is a connection here, please allow me to finish”.
Ultimately, however, Hołownia had to „bring the MP back to the matter at hand” twice and then revoked her speaking privileges, which garnered applause from certain members of parliament.
Prohibition on e-cigarettes for minors in Poland. Sejm’s resolution
The initial reading in the Sejm of the amendments to the so-called Tobacco Act occurred at the beginning of February. The detailed examination of the proposal was postponed for three months due to the necessity of notifying it to the European Commission.
The government’s proposed amendment to the Tobacco Act establishes a ban on the sale of all forms of electronic cigarettes and refillable containers to individuals under 18 years old, irrespective of whether the product contains nicotine.
The sale of nicotine pouches to those under 18 will also be prohibited, as will their sale within the premises of entities conducting medical activities, educational institutions, sports and recreational facilities, vending machines, and self-service systems.
The legislation additionally enforces a prohibition on the distant sale of nicotine-free e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, including via the Internet, alongside a ban on promoting these products.
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Prohibition in public areas
The proposal also stipulates that the use of electronic cigarettes filled with nicotine-free liquid (producing vapor that does not contain nicotine) will be forbidden in public areas where the use of nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes is presently prohibited. These locations include schools, kindergartens, bus stops, restaurants, and playgrounds for children.
The Ministry of Health has prepared another draft of amendments to the Tobacco Act, which prohibits the sale of disposable e-cigarettes and flavored nicotine pouches, as well as the sale of products not covered by the act. Deputy Minister of Health Wojciech Konieczny announced on Tuesday that this draft may require a notification period of a year or more to the EC.
