Czech Republic: Survey reveals easy nicotine access for minors

A survey conducted by the STEM/MARK agency among 707 young adults aged 18 to 22 reveals significant challenges regarding nicotine access for minors in the Czech Republic. According to the data, 67% of respondents first experienced nicotine before the age of 18, with 15 being a frequently cited age for first use.

Approximately 84% of respondents agreed that it is easy for minors to obtain nicotine products. The research highlights a major gap in age verification; nearly half of those who attempted to purchase products themselves reported that sellers either did not ask for identification or only requested it once in five attempts.

The findings were presented by the non-profit organization ‘Na věku záleží’, which advocates for more consistent enforcement of existing laws rather than stricter legislation. The initiative emphasizes that age verification should be a standard and expected part of the purchasing process. Suggested measures to improve compliance include higher fines for retailers, better monitoring of online sales, and increased product prices.