Amendments to Be Made to Tobacco Control Law

The Health and Social Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Georgia is discussing amendments to the Law on Tobacco Control.

The changes were presented by the Head of the Committee, Akaki Zoidze and envisage softening strict regulations on the territories of higher education, professional, medical and pharmaceutical institutions.

However, the bill envisages creation of special smoking spots on such territories which should not exceed three.

Within the changes, smoking will be possible during the performances at theaters, when an actor is performing the role of a smoker.

According to the draft law, Article 10 will be added a new sub-paragraph, to which srmoking will also be allowed in the salons of gambling establishments that pay the permit fee for arrangement of no less than GEL 200,000.

Zoidze says the amendments do not change the principles of the law and the introduction of soft norms is not planned in future.

"This is the last change of this law, which will ease certain approaches. The future changes will only be tougher and we hope society will support us in this regard,” he said.

Smoking of tobacco, including electronic cigarettes and hookah, has beenprohibited since May 1, 2018 in all enclosed areas, with the exception of houses, psychiatric clinics, penitentiary facilities and casinos.

Smoking of cigars is only allowed in cigar-bars where food products are not sold. A special license is necessary to open such a bar.

In the first instance of violation, institutions are being fined GEL 500. In case of repeated violation, the fine goes up to GEL 1000. Individuals who break the law can expect a GEL 50 fine and, in case of repeated violation, the fine will be doubled. 

Smoking in air, sea or land public transport also carries a penalty. The driver of the transport is to be fined 500 GEL, and if repeated, this will be doubled. However, if an individual person smokes on land public transport, the violator is to be fined 100 GEL.

For violation of rules in air or rail transport, the violator is to be fined 50 GEL, which will be doubled in case of repeat violation.

By Thea Morrison

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