gsthr logo
Quick links to detailed datasheets for Latvia at gsthr.org

Smoking in Latvia

Adult tobacco smoking prevalence is at 33% (with 15.8% of women and 40.2% of men).

Read articles from Latvia

February 05, 2025 by vaping360.com

Latvia Is 9th European Country to Ban Flavored Vapes

The flavor ban applies to both in-person and online sales, including sales from vendors outside the country. The law also limits the number of legal flavorings in tobacco-flavored e-liquids to 16 specific flavoring components, similar to the rule adopted in The Netherlands.

January 03, 2025 by euronews.com

Tobacco sellers in Latvia scramble to find loopholes to circumvent new ban on products and vapes

Latvia will tighten tobacco sales rules starting January 2025, prohibiting sales to those under 20 and restricting nicotine pouch contents. Companies are seeking loopholes, like selling separate vaping components. The Traditional and Smokeless Tobacco Products Association doubts the law's efficacy. The EU aims for a "tobacco-free generation" by 2040, with a 30% tobacco use reduction by 2025. Countries in Europe are implementing measures, such as banning filter cigarettes in the Netherlands and stopping tobacco sales in Belgian supermarkets from 2025. The nicotine pouch industry predicts product shortages due to reduced nicotine content.

December 10, 2024 by lsm.lv

Latvia might introduce stricter rules on vaping in public

The EPSCO calls for extending restrictions to ban tobacco smoke and vaping in public areas including balconies, train platforms, and workplaces in Latvia. Proposed regulations may include banning electronic cigarette use near windows. Despite opposition from the Smokefree Industry Association, the goal is to protect the public from harmful exposure. Discussions on the implementation timeline are ongoing, with monitoring currently conducted by state and municipal police. Suggestions for designated smoke-free areas are also considered. Debate continues on the health risks of passive vaping, with some advocating for stricter regulations to prevent health issues, especially among young people.

October 16, 2023 by tobaccoreporter.com

Latvia to Raise Liquid Tax by 21 Percent Yearly

Latvia will increase excise taxes on e-liquids by an average of 21 percent annually until 2026. The excise tax rates on heated-tobacco products and combustible cigarettes are set to increase by 5 percent and 5.6 percent every year, respectively. Meanwhile, the tax on other “tobacco substitute” products, including nicotine pouches, will rise by 10 percent. Tobacco harm reduction advocates warned that the measure would negatively impact Latvia’s efforts to curb smoking by making safer alternatives less attractive.

May 22, 2023 by bnn-news.com

Latvian residents express great interest for initiative against the ban on e-cigarette flavours

More than 10 000 people have signed the petition called “Free choice for adults! On preservation of e-cigarette aromas” on Manabalss.lv platform, according to Tobacco-free Products Association.

Because the initiative has received the necessary number of votes, it will be submitted to the Saeima for review. The objective of this initiative is to invite the parliament to not ban various flavours of e-cigarettes and instead adopt solution to battle the illegal market and educate society about healthy choices.

Despite the stereotypes held by residents, the e-cigarettes industry is not interested in youngsters using their products.

March 24, 2023 by lsm.lv

Tobacco and e-cigarettes might be subject to higher age limit in Latvia

On Thursday, March 23, the Saeima approved amendments in the second reading, which plan to prescribe that tobacco products, substitute products, plant smoking products, electronic smoking devices, and fillers will be prohibited to sell to persons under the age of 20.

 79 members voted for the amendments and 6 voted against. 

In order for the ban to come into force, the amendments to the law in parliament still need to be supported in the third – final – reading.

Tobacco and alternative products are currently available to persons aged 18.