Electronic cigarette enthusiasts in Belarus may soon face a new hurdle, as the country plans to prohibit vaping in specific areas. The "Onliner" reports that the discussion of a draft law containing these changes concluded on Thursday.
Proposed Vaping Restrictions
The upper chamber of the Belarusian parliament initiated the draft law on state regulation of the circulation and consumption of non-tobacco nicotine-containing products, commonly known as vapes. The document includes a provision that directly affects vaping enthusiasts.
The proposed legislation seeks to ban vaping and smoking tobacco products on the steps of multi-apartment buildings, dormitories, and adjacent territories. The draft law will now be sent to the lower chamber of parliament for consideration and adoption.
Previous Vaping Regulations
Belarus has already implemented several restrictions on electronic cigarettes, similar to those applied to traditional cigarettes. Vaping is prohibited in various locations, including:
- Playgrounds
- Cars (when transporting children under 14)
- Elevators
- Workplaces
- Educational institutions
- Public transport
- Bus stops
- Underground passages
Violating these regulations by smoking or vaping in prohibited areas carries a fine of 4 base units.
Health Concerns Surrounding Vaping
Viktor Kondratovich, the chief physician of the Minsk City Clinical Oncology Center, highlighted the potential health risks associated with vaping. He stated, "In addition to cardiovascular diseases, there are oncological diseases that can be caused by the use of vapes. Because they exist with nicotine, without nicotine, in any case, the chemical composition contains many formaldehydes, which cause, among other things, oncological diseases."
As Belarus considers extending smoking restrictions to include vaping, the country joins a growing global trend of regulating electronic cigarettes to protect public health and mitigate potential risks.
