Moldova approves new tobacco and e-cigarette regulations

The Moldovan Parliament has approved amendments to tobacco control legislation, transposing several European Union norms into national law. The new regulations establish stricter requirements for the packaging of both traditional cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery systems.

Key provisions include mandatory health warnings regarding cancer risks, effects on unborn children, and the impact of secondhand smoke on families. These warnings must be clearly visible and cannot be obscured by brand names or logos. The government is tasked with approving a specific gallery of health images and required elements to be printed on packaging.

For electronic cigarettes and refill bottles, packaging must now include an ingredient list ordered by mass, information on flavors, nicotine dosage per use, batch numbers, and warnings to keep products out of reach of children. Additionally, the government is granted the authority to ban specific tobacco products from the market if scientific evidence demonstrates they contain additives that significantly increase toxicity or addiction potential. Most of these regulations are set to be applied upon Moldova's accession to the European Union.