Smoking in Belarus
In Belarus, smoking is allowed with some restrictions in place. The sale of cigarettes is allowed, but purchasing them from vending machines or online is not permitted. Cigarette imports for trade are allowed with an import license. There is a complete ban on advertising. Moreover, health warnings on cigarette packaging are required, and the minimum legal age for purchasing cigarettes is 18 years. There are also some restrictions on smoking in public places such as educational facilities. Cigarettes are subject to a total taxation rate of 57%. In 2024, Belarus had an estimated 1.7 million current adult smokers, with an adult current smoking prevalence of 22.9%. Among males, the current smoking prevalence was 38.7%, and among females, it was 9.6%. The adult daily smoking prevalence was 39.1%, with 20.3% among males and 8.1% among females. In the same year, smoking led to approximately 19.8 thousand deaths. Of these, 17 thousand were among males and 2.8 thousand among females. This indicates that smoking accounted for 12.23% of all deaths in the country, including 21.21% of male deaths and 3.42% of female deaths.
Read articles from Belarus
December 03, 2024 by tobaccoreporter.com
Belarus To Retain Control Over Tobacco
President Lukashenko confirmed on Dec. 2, 2024, that the tobacco industry in Belarus will continue to be state-controlled. He emphasized the importance of state management of alcohol and tobacco companies due to their significant contribution to the budget and impact on public health. Lukashenko expressed concerns over potential low-quality products flooding the market if control is loosened, highlighting the need to prevent the production and sale of such items. Consequently, state oversight of alcohol and tobacco sectors will be maintained to uphold quality standards and protect consumer well-being.
January 25, 2019 by belta.by
Belarus toughens laws against smoking, including e-cigarettes
The Belarusian president signed Decree No. 2 [...] regulating production, trade and consumption of tobacco products on 24 January, [...] The main goal is to consistently limit access to tobacco products, to reduce the negative effects of smoking on health of people. The document envisages legislative regulation of production, sale and use of electronic smoking systems, and also heat-not-burn tobacco products. Such systems shall be subject to the legal norms in respect of production, sale and consumption of tobacco products.