E-cigarettes in Ukraine

Ukraine: Bill 8215, which would ban the importation and transporting of tobacco products and e-liquids from Belarus during the period of martial law and/or the state of emergency, has been registered in the Verkhovna Rada (parliament), media reports. The bill would also prohibit the importing of products whose owner or ultimate beneficiary is a legal entity registered in Russia or Belarus, or anyone on whom sanctions have been applied. If adopted, the bill will come into force the day after it is published.

Ukraine: Tax officials in Lutsk, administrative centre of the Volyn oblast in northwestern Ukraine, have reported finding e-liquids being sold without a licence and without excise tax stamps. The seller now faces a fine of UAH92,400 (€2,525).

Ukraine: The health ministry’s Public Health Centre has set up an online platform for anyone who encounters a violation of anti-tobacco legislation to report it, either through the website or via an app. Complaints about violations of public place usage restrictions, illegal trade, advertising, or lack of warning information will automatically be sent to the relevant department.

Ukraine: Parliament yesterday rejected amendments N20 and N21 to Bill 5616 “On the legal protection of geographical indications for agricultural products”, which would have allowed vaping and heated tobacco use in some “specially designated” public areas, media reports. The amendments had been criticised for attempting to introduce matters unrelated to the main subject of the bill, which is prohibited under parliament regulations.

Ukraine: Parliament was today due to consider Bill 5616 “on the peculiarities of the legal protection of geographical indications for agricultural products”, including amendments to allow vaping and heated tobacco use in some “specially designated” public areas, media reports. Although the economic policy committe supported both of these amendments, the bill has been criticised for going against a parliamentary regulation that prohibits the introduction of amendments unrelated to a bill’s main subject.

Ukraine: Amendments N20 and N21 to Bill 5616 “on the legal protection of geographical indications for agricultural products” would allow public vaping and heated tobacco use in some “specially designated places”. Although the Economic Policy Committee supported both of amendments, they have been criticised for going against a regulation prohibiting the introduction of amendments that do not relate to the topic of a bill.

Ukraine: Inspectors from the State Production and Consumer Service have begun to check on how restaurants and cafes in the capital, Kyiv, are complying with the anti-tobacco legislation, which prohibits vaping and use of heated tobacco in such places, in line with smoking, media reports.