The Czech Republic has steadily implemented significant tobacco regulations to address public health concerns, including smoking bans in indoor spaces and restrictions on flavored tobacco products.
On Tuesday (September 17th) the European Commission proposed to extend a smoking ban to even more public areas. The new regulation would apply to traditional tobacco products, vapes, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco.
Current Smoking Regulations in Czechia
This time the ban will go as far as public transport stations, playgrounds, cafe terraces, etc. The introduced law aligns with the Czech government’s intention to decrease tobacco consumption.
Smoke-free environments legislation was first proposed in 2009, when the Eurobarometer survey found 84% of EU citizens in favour of smoke-free offices and other indoor workplaces, 79% in favour of smoke-free restaurants, and 61% supporting smoke-free bars and pubs.
The 2009 Council Recommendation strengthened smoke-free legislation within public spaces, as well as EU cooperation on tobacco control. This created a strong base for the new legislation, which will probably come into force next year.
Past and Future of Tobacco Control in Czechia
Throughout recent years Czechia has been fighting smoking aiming to decrease tobacco consumption. In 2017 the Act on Protection from the Harmful Effects of Addictive Substances, or the Anti-Smoking Bil, entered into force and extended the ban on smoking in all interior premises that are freely accessible to the public.
In October 2023 the country made the next step and in accordance with a European directive banned the sale of flavored heated tobacco (HTPs). In the same year, the Czech Senate approved a ban on the sale of nicotine sachets, or pouches, to those under the age of 18.
This year The Czech Ministry of Health informed the community about the upcoming steps to regulate electronic cigarettes with special attention to flavored e-cigarettes or vaporizers, devices based on heating a liquid instead of directly burning tobacco.
As you can see, there is gradual progress in achieving the goal of bringing the nation to healthier behavior and increasing personal awareness on the matter. We are following the narrative of the long-term concerns around national public health and as soon as the news appears we’ll deliver it to you.
