The Ministry of Health has counted how many smoking residents there are in Latvia 0 9

Assessing the current situation and the implementation of amendments to the Tobacco Law, the participants of the meeting heard data from the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CDPC) on trends in tobacco and electronic cigarette consumption, as well as reports from supervisory institutions on the progress of law implementation and control measures.

Representatives from the Consumer Rights Protection Centre, the Health Inspectorate, the State Police, and the State Revenue Service (SRS) informed about the enhanced supervision aimed at monitoring compliance with age restrictions, distance selling, and reducing illegal turnover, especially in the digital environment.

According to the Ministry of Health, observations from supervisory institutions indicate a new practice in the market — the sale of food flavorings that are actually used in electronic cigarettes, circumventing the ban on flavorings established by the Tobacco Law.

In this regard, the meeting emphasized the need to strengthen the effectiveness of the ban and ensure its consistent application.

Special attention from supervisory institutions is also given to the emergence of new substitutes for tobacco and nicotine in the market, their supervision, and appropriate classification.

During the meeting, active attempts by the tobacco and nicotine industry to challenge the decisions of supervisory authorities were also pointed out.

The ministry emphasizes that, in general, the impact of new restrictions on public health and habits can only be assessed over a longer period, including when more complete data for 2025 becomes available.

The Ministry of Health, in cooperation with supervisory institutions, will continue to work on improving regulatory frameworks to eliminate opportunities for circumventing the legally established flavor restrictions.

The commission also agreed to prepare proposals to improve the fight against the illegal market on websites and in messengers.

The Ministry of Health points out that international studies confirm a correlation between those who try smoking and those who subsequently become regular smokers, so it is important to implement measures that reduce this risk.

The ministry notes that smoking is one of the most significant preventable health risks and a major cause of many diseases. According to the World Health Organization, smoking remains one of the leading causes of premature mortality worldwide, with harm to health caused not only by active smoking but also by passive smoking.

According to the Ministry of Health, the share of electronic cigarette use among youth in Latvia has sharply increased in recent years — if in 2011, 20% of adolescents tried them, by 2024, it was already 53%. A particularly concerning trend was observed among 15-year-olds, with 30% using electronic cigarettes in the past 30 days.

According to the Ministry of Health, in 2024, 29% of residents aged 15 to 74 had tried electronic cigarettes at least once. In all age groups, women had tried them more often than men.

Data from the Ministry of Health also show that overall, 32% of residents aged 20 to 75 in Latvia smoke, primarily using cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and smoking tobacco.

The goal of the State Commission for Smoking Restriction is to ensure people's right to clean air free from tobacco smoke. The commission's work is aimed at coordinating actions related to smoking restriction policy and its implementation, as well as inter-agency cooperation.

As previously reported, amendments to the Law on the Circulation of Tobacco Products, Tobacco Substitutes, Plant Products for Smoking, Electronic Smoking Devices, and their Liquids came into effect this year. The changes include a ban on flavored liquids for electronic devices and nicotine pouches (only tobacco flavor is allowed), as well as establishing a ban on the sale and purchase of tobacco and nicotine products by individuals under the age of 20.