A proposal has been made in the Verkhovna Rada to ban vapes and hookahs for children under 17
27 April 11:09
Bill No. 15196 has been submitted to the Verkhovna Rada , proposing stricter restrictions on smoking by minors. The bill was introduced by MP Georgiy Mazurashu, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
The document proposes amendments to legislation on the prevention of tobacco use and would prohibit individuals under the age of 17 not only from smoking but also from using all related products. This includes, in particular, tobacco products, e-cigarettes, hookahs, herbal smoking blends, and devices for consuming tobacco without combustion.
In the explanatory note to the bill, MP Mazurașu explains his initiative as follows:
“In order to reduce smoking-related morbidity and mortality, especially among children and youth, it is proposed—following the example of the United Kingdom—to ban smoking, the consumption, and the use of tobacco products, items related to their use, herbal smoking products, e-cigarettes, devices for consuming tobacco products without combustion, and hookahs to persons under the age of 17,” explains the deputy.
The Example of the UK
In particular, the author cites the example of the UK. There, smoking, the consumption, and use of tobacco products, items related to their use, herbal smoking products, e-cigarettes, devices for consuming tobacco products without combustion, and hookahs have recently been banned for persons under the age of 17.
The UK adopted this measure for individuals born on or after January 1, 2009, according to the BBC.
Once royal assent is granted, the government will gain additional powers to regulate tobacco products, vapes, and other nicotine-containing products, including their flavorings and packaging design.
“There are also plans to expand restrictions on the use of e-cigarettes. Specifically, vaping will be banned on public transportation carrying children, at playgrounds, near educational institutions, and in healthcare facilities,” the BBC reports.
At the same time, vaping will remain permitted outside of hospitals—as a tool for those trying to quit smoking.
The new rules will not apply to outdoor areas of food service establishments, including terraces and pubs, as well as beaches and private properties. Smoking and the use of e-cigarettes in one’s own home will also not be restricted.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting called the passage of the law an important step for the country, emphasizing that prevention is more effective than treatment and that these changes will help save lives, reduce the burden on the healthcare system, and make society healthier.
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What other bills are pending in the Verkhovna Rada
As for Ukraine, let us recall that back in July of last year, a bill was introduced in the Verkhovna Rada proposing a complete ban on e-cigarettes in Ukraine
“The draft law provides for the removal of e-cigarettes and related liquids from the registers of products permitted for circulation, the abolition of licensing for this activity, and the introduction of fines for violations of the new regulations”
It also proposes banning any state support for the production or distribution of such goods.
The authors of the document are listed as MPs Mykhailo Bondar, Yana Zinkevych, Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, Viktoria Hryb, and Mykola Velychkovych.
The explanatory note to the document states the following:
“The initiative aims to protect the health of Ukrainians, particularly young people, from the harmful effects of electronic smoking devices, which, contrary to popular belief, contain a number of toxic and carcinogenic substances. These include acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, diacetyl, acrolein, heavy metals, and other hazardous compounds.”
According to data from the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, over 70% of daily smokers aged 18–29 use electronic smoking devices. Specifically, 36% use e-cigarettes, and another 37% use tobacco products for electric heating. This trend is also evident among adolescents: 40% of respondents aged 13–15 have used e-cigarettes at least once, and about 20% are current users. Half of adolescents aged 15–16 have experience using them, and one in five has used them within the last month.
In addition to the health risks to users, lawmakers also emphasize the harm from secondhand exposure—passive inhalation of e-cigarette vapor. These emissions also contain harmful substances that can pose a threat to people in the surrounding environment.
Currently, the sale of e-cigarettes to minors is prohibited in Ukraine; however, lawmakers note that enforcement in this area is weak, and young people have free access to vapes, particularly counterfeit products with unknown ingredients.
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