E-cigarettes in Latvia

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.

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.

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.

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.

Latvia: The excise tax rate on e-liquids increased on 1st January to €0.20 per ml.

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.