Although Lithuania will implement a ban on flavored cigarettes in November, vape shops still provide information on illegal tastes, and the Consumer Rights Protection Agency has imposed fines of 750 to 2,000 euros in 23 illegal cases.
Lithuania’s flavored vape ban is coming into effect
As reported by LRT on Oct 3, Lithuania will not allow vapes containing added or natural sweeteners and sugar liquids from November 2024.
Rytis Jokubauskas, vice president of the Customer Union, pointed out that the ban on flavored vapes, related vapes, and supplements is an important measure to protect public health, especially young people who need protection. Marketing of vapes is often targeted at young people, but consumers often do not have access to comprehensive objective information about the consequences of vape use. Bans help create a safer environment and reduce the occurrence of public health problems.
In the officially operating vape shops in Lithuania, although the flavored cigarette ban has been implemented, the name is only removed from the product packaging, and consumers can still obtain detailed information about the taste of vapes when they consult. According to the State Consumer Rights Protection Bureau (VVTAT), such dishonest practices are said to make regulatory work more difficult, as samples should be sent to laboratories for testing. However, most test results confirmed that the samples contained prohibited substances.
Shops still offer banned flavors
VVTAT has banned the sale of vapes and e-liquids containing fragrances and odors (except tobacco flavor) since July 1, 2022. The VVTAT has considered 23 cases and decided to impose fines of between 750 and 2,000 euros on violators. Most decisions are appealed to the courts, but some businesses have paid fines. At present, only a few courts of first instance have ruled that VVTAT’s decisions are justified, and these decisions are still being appealed to the higher Court. VVTAT representatives said the information had been passed on to the Drug, Cigarette, and Alcohol Control Department. (NTAKD), according to its responsibilities, the department can suspend or revoke the license to sell cigarette products.
VVTAT revealed that controlling the law requires a lot of manpower and money, including physical store inspections, sample collection and testing, and judicial procedures. This cost is paid from the state budget, i.e., from the funds of each Lithuanian citizen. The heads of the National Tobacco Manufacturers Association (NTGA) and the Innovative Tobacco Products Association (NTGA) noted the lack of market regulation and called for promoting integrity among merchants.
VVTAT revealed that with the effectiveness of the amendments to the Law on the Management of Tobacco. Tobacco Products, and Related Products on November 1, 2023, it is expected that the control will be more clear and simple, so it is expected that the legal control will be better implemented.
