Smoking in Lithuania
In Lithuania, smoking is legally allowed but regulated under a comprehensive tobacco control framework. Cigarettes are classified as tobacco products which may be sold through retail outlets, while online sales and vending machine purchases are not allowed. Importation of cigarettes for trade is permitted with a license. However, health warnings on packaging are mandatory, the minimum legal age for purchase is 18 years, and smoking in public places restricted. Also, a complete ban on all forms of tobacco advertising including cigarettes is in place. Cigarettes in Lithuania are taxed at a total rate of 76.13%, including an excise tax component of 33.77%. Despite these regulations, smoking remains a significant public health concern in Lithuania. In 2024, the number of current smokers was 603,000, representing an overall adult smoking prevalence of 24.9% that year. In the same year, smoking prevalence was considerably higher among males (36.2%) than among females (15.1%). This prevalence was 25.1% in 2022. In 2023, the adult daily tobacco smoking prevalence was 21.8%, with an estimated 710,080 daily smokers. Mortality data indicate that in 2021, smoking led to 4,020 deaths in Lithuania, including 3,452 deaths among males and 568 deaths among females. Overall, smoking resulted in 8.51% of all deaths in the country in 2021, with 15.23% of all male deaths and 2.31% of all female deaths. These statistics show the continuing health burden of smoking in Lithuania which require more concerted efforts.
Read articles from Lithuania
October 31, 2026 by vapingpost.com
Europe: Ireland Makes One Last Push for a Compromise Before Lithuania’s Presidency
Ireland has circulated two new compromise texts on EU excise duties after an earlier proposal was withdrawn and rejected by the European Parliament. A vote was postponed until November 9 to allow Sweden, a leading opponent of higher taxes on nicotine pouches, to form a government. Several other member states also have reservations about the proposed rates and their effects.
Sweden’s continuing political deadlock may prevent agreement before Lithuania assumes the EU Council presidency in January 2027. Lithuania has banned most e-cigarette flavours and sharply increased e-liquid taxes, raising concerns among vapers. However, neither tobacco taxation nor vaping is among its declared priorities, so the proposals could remain stalled.
October 16, 2026 by snusforumet.se
Sweden's political deadlock leaves EU nicotine tax plans in limbo
Sweden’s political deadlock is now affecting the future of nicotine taxation across the EU. The October vote on the revised Tobacco Excise Directive has been postponed until November, while uncertainty over Sweden’s next government raises questions about whether an agreement can be reached.
At the centre of the disagreement is Sweden’s opposition to EU-wide tax rules that could treat nicotine pouches similarly to combustible tobacco. Sweden has argued for taxation that reflects differences in product risk, consistent with its tobacco harm reduction approach. The outcome could have significant implications for the affordability of smoke-free alternatives and the future direction of European nicotine policy.
August 12, 2025 by clearingtheair.eu
Vapes and HTPs Reduce Toxin Exposure by More than 90%, Lithuanian Study Finds
Heated tobacco products (HTPs) and vapes reduce exposure to harmful chemicals by more than 90 per cent compared to cigarettes, according to a major new study.
July 24, 2018 by dailymail.co.uk
Vape clouds produced indoors by e-cigarettes break down within SECONDS [...]
A new study has pitted e-cigarettes against their traditional counterparts to gauge how well they perform in indoor spaces – and, it appears vaping really does have less of an impact on the surrounding air.
While particles from conventional cigarette smoke linger in the air for upwards of 45 minutes, researchers found that those stemming from e-vapor products evaporate within seconds, even indoors.
May 04, 2018 by euractiv.com
Andriukaitis: E-cigarettes under thorough scrutiny, and not the way to stop smoking
“E-cigarettes are under thorough scientific scrutiny and we are currently collecting data. At the moment, it’s known that e-cigarettes are less damaging compared to traditional smoking,” said EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis.
However, the Lithuanian politician pointed out that they are still damaging. “Less [harmful]…but,” he said.