MPs want to completely ban e-cigarettes in Ukraine: details of the bill

30 July 11:27

A group of MPs has submitted a bill to the Verkhovna Rada that proposes to introduce a complete ban on the sale of e-cigarettes in Ukraine and everything related to them. The corresponding bill No. 13548 has been posted on the website of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports

The Verkhovna Rada is considering a draft law that provides for a complete ban on the production, import, export, wholesale and retail trade in e-cigarettes, refillable containers and e-liquids in Ukraine. The document is aimed at protecting public health and combating the spread of nicotine addiction, especially among young people.

“The purpose of the draft law is to protect the health of the population of Ukraine by legislating a complete ban on the production, import, wholesale and retail trade, as well as the introduction of e-cigarettes, refillable containers and liquids used in e-cigarettes in Ukraine,” the explanatory note says.

The scale of the problem

According to the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, more than 70% of daily smokers aged 18-29 use electronic smoking devices. Among adolescents, the situation is even more alarming:

40% of adolescents aged 13-15 have used e-cigarettes at least once,
about 20% are regular users,
one in five 15-16-year-olds has used e-cigarettes in the past month.

Despite the ban on sales to minors, controls remain lax and vapes remain available.

What are e-cigarettes and why are they dangerous?

E-cigarettes are devices that create an aerosol by heating a liquid. The liquids can contain not only nicotine but also dozens of chemicals, including:

Acetaldehyde and formaldehyde – carcinogens.
Tocopherol (vitamin E) – irritates the lungs.
Acrolein is a herbicide that causes irreversible damage to the respiratory system.
Diacetyl – can cause “popcorn lungs”.
Benzene, cadmium, lead, nickel – toxic substances that harm the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

A significant part of the products is counterfeit, with unknown composition. In addition, used cartridges and batteries pollute the environment.

Diseases associated with vaping

Medical studies have already confirmed the link between the use of e-cigarettes and serious diseases:

EVALI – vaping-related lung damage. In the US, more than 3000 cases were recorded in 2019, 70 of which were fatal.
Bronchiolitis obliterans is a lung disease caused by diacetyl.
Lipoid pneumonia – develops due to inhalation of oils from e-cigarette liquids.
Primary pneumothorax is the accumulation of air in the pleural cavity, which can be a consequence of vaping in young people.

In addition, even passive inhalation of e-cigarette aerosol poses a threat to the health of others.

International experience

In Ukraine, the sale of e-cigarettes to minors is prohibited, but controls are weak and young people have easy access.

India, Thailand, Singapore, and Brazil have completely banned vapes and e-cigarettes, and the United States and Australia have imposed strict restrictions due to health risks and the growth of their use among young people (78% increase in India among schoolchildren in 2018, “vaping epidemic” among teenagers in Australia (90% increase in 5 years).

What does the draft law provide for?

The draft law provides for amendments to two existing laws of Ukraine:

On measures to prevent and reduce the use of tobacco products,
On State Regulation of the Circulation of Alcohol, Tobacco and E-Cigarette Liquids.

Main provisions:

Complete ban on the production, import, export and trade of e-cigarettes and related liquids.
Exclusion of provisions on licensing and circulation of these goods.
Prohibition of state support for vape production.
Establishment of liability and fines for violation of the new regulations.

The draft law does not require additional expenditures from the state budget. The control systems will be financed within existing programs and through international technical assistance.