Tobacco sellers in Latvia scramble to find loopholes to circumvent new ban on products and vapes
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.
33.00% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 498,037 current smokers in Latvia 40.20% of men are current smokers but only 15.80% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR
