Health of children and youth protection

The Supreme Council of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic adopted amendments to a number of laws aimed at tightening the rules for the circulation of nicotine-containing products to protect the life and health of children and youth in the first reading. The legislations were initiated by deputies of the Committee on Legislation Galina Antyufeyeva, Gregory Dyachenko and Valery Babchinetsky.

The Committee on Legislation, Protection of the Rights and Freedoms of Citizens explained that the current legislation has restrictions for minors on the consumption of tobacco and tobacco products, nicotine, evaporative mixtures and the use of devices that simulate tobacco smoking.

The products containing nicotine-free liquid will be included in the definition of nicotine-containing products, and devices used to produce nicotine-free aerosol will be included in the list of devices for consuming nicotine-containing products, according to the legislations adopted in the first reading. All current requirements and restrictions for nicotine-containing products will be extended to nicotine-free products, by analogy with Russian legislation.

The authors of the law-in-draft note that mixtures that do not contain nicotine may include various dyes and food additives. The labels of modern electronic evaporators do not have a clear composition, as well as permits with information about production. At the same time, the inscription “without nicotine”, “with strawberry flavor” is indicated, which is misleading about the harmlessness to the health of these mixtures.

The use of vapes and other smoking mixtures affects the bronchopulmonary system and leads to an increase in the number of heart attacks and lung diseases, including in minors, especially in those who are genetically susceptible to them, according to medical statistics.

Amendments aimed at tightening the rules for the circulation of nicotine-containing products are proposed to be made to 8 laws: “On protecting the health of citizens from the effects of environmental tobacco smoke, the consequences of consuming tobacco and other nicotine-containing mixtures without tobacco”, the Code of Administrative Offenses, “On the protection of children from information causing harm to their health and development”, “On the basic guarantees of children’s rights in the PMR”, “On advertising”, “On licensing of certain types of activities”, “On excise taxes”, “Special tax regime - simplified taxation system”.

The Code of Administrative Offenses proposes to increase the fine for the sale of tobacco and tobacco products, nicotine-containing products, hookahs, and devices for consuming nicotine-containing products to minors.

The relevant committee will continue to work on the package of legislations.