Market & regulatory data for the vapour sector in Latvia

12th January 2024: Latvia: Yesterday (11th January), the bill amending the law on the circulation of tobacco products, herbal smoking products, electronic smoking devices and their liquids was passed on its last vote. Among other measures, such as an e-liquid flavour ban, the bill raises the age limit for the purchase of e-cigarettes from 18 to 20. The new restrictions will enter into force on 1st January 2025.
24th October 2023: Latvia: The bill amending the law on the circulation of tobacco products, herbal smoking products, and electronic smoking devices and their liquids is expected to be passed by the end of the year, press reports. Among other measures, such as an e-liquid flavour ban, the bill raises the age limit for the purchase of e-cigarettes from 18 to 20. The press service of the Saeima (the Latvian parliament’s lower chamber) has said previously that this ban would enter into force on 1st January 2025.
15th June 2023: Latvia: A new amendment has been made to the bill amending the law on the circulation of tobacco products, herbal smoking products, and electronic smoking devices and their liquids, press reports. The amendment, which was approved on Tuesday (13th June) in the third reading of the bill, raises the age limit for the purchase of e-cigarettes from 18 to 20. The press service of the Saeima (the Latvian parliament’s lower chamber) has said that this ban will enter into force on 1st January 2025. The minutes from the reading have not been published yet.
25th May 2023: Latvia: The parliamentary Social and Labour Affairs Committee yesterday partially rejected a proposal to exempt menthol and tobacco flavours from a ban put forward in a bill “amending the law on the circulation of tobacco products, herbal smoking products, electronic smoking devices and their liquids,” press reports. While it was agreed that tobacco flavour should be allowed, the committee decided menthol “could facilitate nicotine consumption”. Another proposal was to ban the sale of tobacco and substitute products, herbal smoking products, e-cigarettes and refill containers to anyone under 20. Those proposals will be discussed in the final debate on the bill, which is expected to take place before July.
4th May 2023: Latvia: A bill to ban flavours in both heated tobacco and e-cigarettes, and to prohibit the sale of all e-cigarettes, with or without nicotine, to under-20s, will be debated by the Saeima (parliament) on 11th May. It is expected to be passed before 23rd July, the deadline for countries to implement the EU delegated directive banning flavours in heated tobacco.
3rd April 2023: Latvia: On 30th March, the Ministry of Health held a meeting of the State Commission on Smoking Restrictions, where proposals to reduce under-age smoking were discussed and representatives from the Health Inspectorate, the State Police, the State Revenue Service, and the Consumer Rights Protection Centre gave information about the situation over the last year. The Commission agreed to continue working on a proposal to establish criminal liability for the illegal circulation of e-cigarettes and to clarify distance sales regulations. It was also agreed that a letter would be sent to the European Commission calling for an e-liquid flavour ban.
24th March 2023: Latvia: The bill to ban e-cigarette flavours and prohibit the sale of all e-cigs, with or without nicotine, to under-20s has been approved at its second reading at the Saeima (parliament). It must now be approved at one more reading.
2nd March 2023: Latvia: A bill to ban e-cigarette flavours and prohibit the sale of all e-cigs, with or without nicotine, to under-20s has been approved at its second reading by the Social Affairs Committee. It has now to be approved at two more readings by the Saeima (parliament). Proposed amendments may be submitted until 2nd May before the bill’s next Saeima reading.
31st January 2023: Latvia: The State Revenue Service has told ECigIntelligence that the excise duty on e-liquids, with or without nicotine, brought in €636,000 in 2020, €2,925,000 in 2021, and €7,435,000 in 2022.
10th January 2023: Latvia: The excise tax rate on e-liquids increased on 1st January to €0.20 per ml.
13th December 2022: Latvia: Medical associations have urged the Saeima (parliament) to speed up approval of a bill amending the Tobacco Act, press reports. The bill, equating e-cigarettes and other tobacco substitutes with tobacco products, would ban flavoured e-liquids and e-cigarettes, and prohibit vaping in gaming halls and casinos. An online petition backing the flavour ban has gathered more than 10,000 signatures.
31st October 2022: Latvia: The deadline for sending comments relating to the bill amending the Tobacco Act is today, 31st October. The regulation equates e-cigarettes and other tobacco substitutes to tobacco products. It seeks to ban flavoured e-liquids and e-cigarettes, and prohibit vaping in gaming halls and casinos. The bill was approved in its second reading earlier this month and in the coming months the third and final reading is expected to take place.

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