The State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection reported that from January to September 2024, following the results of 199 unscheduled inspections regarding compliance with anti-tobacco legislation, it imposed fines totaling 4.2 million UAH on business entities, reported Deputy Head of the agency Andrey Kreitor.
"During the first nine months of 2024, based on citizen complaints, the State Consumer Service conducted 199 unscheduled inspections of business entities regarding compliance with anti-tobacco legislation. Violations were identified in 135 business entities, accounting for 69% of all those inspected," - quoted his words the agency's press service.
Kreitor highlighted that the most common violations included non-compliance with retail trade requirements for electronic cigarettes and packaging labeling of tobacco products, placement of hookahs and use of tobacco products in prohibited areas, installation of ashtrays and use of tobacco products in public catering establishments, absence of informational signs regarding the smoking ban, and violations of advertising bans and sales promotions for tobacco products.
"Currently, in Ukraine, the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products with additives such as vitamins, caffeine, taurine, and other substances associated with vigor or vitality is prohibited. Additives to tobacco products that alter the color of emissions or facilitate the inhalation of smoke and absorption of nicotine are also banned. This applies to rolling tobacco as well," - noted the State Consumer Service.
It is also emphasized that the sale of cigarettes with high levels of nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide, and the sale of tobacco for oral use is prohibited.