In December last year, the Verkhovna Rada passed a law significantly strengthening anti-tobacco restrictions. The first innovations will take effect on Monday, July 11, recalled the head of the parliamentary Committee on the health of the nation, medical care and medical insurance, Mikhail Radutsky.

Electronic cigarettes, heating devices, hookahs, as well as regular cigarettes, will be banned in public places. In particular, this also applies to catering establishments, where there will no longer be areas or rooms for smoking..

For violation of the ban, a fine of 51-350 UAH is provided for a citizen, for establishments - 3-15 thousand. UAH.

The law introduces a ban on the sale of tobacco products, items related to their use, herbal smoking products, electronic cigarettes, refill containers, devices for the consumption of tobacco products without burning them to persons under 18 years of age.

Increased fines for the sale of tobacco products, electronic cigarettes and liquids to minors in the amount of UAH 1,020, and in case of a repeated violation within a year - UAH 10,200.

“I note that Law No. 1978, adopted by the Verkhovna Rada, brings us closer to European legislation. We comply with the requirements of Directive 2014/40/EU and the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Accordingly, the law is another step towards European integration,” said the Chairman of the Committee.

The latest sociological survey of KIIS shows that the majority of Ukrainians support a ban on smoking tobacco products for electric heating in public places (80% of respondents) and the sale of devices for heating tobacco and electronic cigarettes to minors (92%).

At the same time, the study shows that compared to 2020, in 2022 the number of daily smokers in Ukraine increased from 23.1% to 28.3%. The main reason is war.. Even those who quit many years ago start smoking.

“For the time being, we can only take this as an unfortunate fact.. But I hope that in the future it will be possible to reverse the negative trend, encourage people to find other tools to neutralize negative emotions and stress,” Radutsky commented..