Read articles from Czech Republic

November 11, 2024 by gfn.tv

In the second part of our Czech Republic special, Filip Blaha guides us through the possible consequences of new regulations targeting psychoactive substances, and the potential for further vaping restrictions in the country. Make sure to check out our previous episode where Filip breaks down these new regulations in detail!

November 06, 2024 by gfn.tv

While the Czech Republic is introducing new measures to regulate psychoactive substances according to risk, the government is also considering harsher restrictions for safer alternatives to smoking. Filip Blaha of the Institute of Liberal Studies joins Joanna Junak to explain the proposals.

October 10, 2024 by expats.cz

The Czech Republic is set to implement significant new regulations on substances such as kratom, low-THC hemp, and flavored e-cigarettes. These measures aim to protect young people from the risks associated with psychoactive substances and promote safer consumption practices. Amended legislation on addictive substances will restrict the sale of kratom and low-THC hemp starting in December. The Senate recently approved the amendment, which limits sales of these products to adults in specialized stores and prohibits sales through vending machines. The legislation also mandates age verification for online purchases and bans items resembling toys or candy to deter children from accessing these substances.

September 10, 2024 by clearingtheair.eu

The Czech Republic plans to ban flavored vapes, except tobacco, next year. This move, coupled with a new tax, has sparked criticism from vape industry leaders, who argue that the ban could hinder smoking cessation efforts. Studies show flavored vapes help smokers quit, making the ban counterproductive. The government's decision also contradicts its previous support for vaping as a smoking cessation tool. Critics warn the ban may lead ex-smokers to revert to conventional cigarettes or turn to the black market. Advocates suggest focusing on limiting vape access to minors instead of implementing a blanket ban on flavors. Similarly, the UK is considering similar restrictions on flavored vapes to deter youth vaping.

September 02, 2024 by praguemorning.cz

The Czech Health Ministry plans to amend a decree that could severely impact the e-cigarette industry by banning all flavors except tobacco and key additives in e-liquids. Industry representatives fear a collapse due to this move, emphasizing that selling tobacco-flavored products without common ingredients would be unfeasible. A new excise tax on e-cigarettes is also on the horizon, raising concerns about the government's inconsistent approach given e-cigarettes' role in smoking reduction. Experts warn the ban could lead to increased tobacco use or smuggling. The Chamber of Electronic Vaping advocates for restricting e-cigarette access to minors instead of an outright ban.

May 06, 2024 by ecigintelligence.com

EU MEP Radka Maxová predicts a shift towards harm reduction policies in tobacco control within the European Parliament. She highlights potential influences from newly elected members and the need for nuanced regulation of novel tobacco products. Despite conservative positions dominating the EU Commission's tobacco policy proposal, there's growing awareness of harm-reduction benefits. Maxová emphasizes the importance of evidence-based harm reduction strategies and the need to differentiate between harmful and safer tobacco alternatives. Diverse opinions among MEPs and member states pose challenges to revising EU tobacco directives.

October 23, 2023 by expats.cz

Starting on Monday, the sale of flavored heated tobacco will be banned in the Czech Republic as required by a European directive. EU member states must incorporate the ban into their legal frameworks with effect from October 23, and the directive does not allow for any transitional period for the sale of existing stock. Various flavors are already prohibited in traditional cigarettes, and this ban will now apply to heated tobacco products. Tobacco companies argue that flavored tobacco products are popular among users, and the U.S. experience with such a ban has shown that some people switch back to regular cigarettes.

April 06, 2023 by expats.cz

October 20, 2022 by radio.cz

Currently, only one EU country has legalised recreational cannabis – and despite popular misconception, it is not the Netherlands, where the sale of cannabis is tolerated at licensed coffeeshops, but cultivation, supply and possession of cannabis still remain criminal offences. In December 2021, Malta became the first EU country to legalise cannabis for recreational use – and Czechia may be well on its way to becoming the second. If national anti-drug coordinator Jindřich Vobořil’s proposed plan comes into effect in 2024 as he hopes, Czechia could become the second EU country to legalise the recreational use of cannabis. [...]

June 07, 2022 by ecigintelligence.com

The Czech Republic is set to become the main EU proponent of tobacco harm-reduction policy following a change in philosophy among leaders, and is planning to implement a new decree for nicotine pouches in the near future as a result.

A new action plan is now expected to be debated, which will set harm reduction as part of the country’s public health strategy going forward, according to Ondřej Jakob, a spokesperson for the Czech Ministry of Health.