From 2025, all areas where smoking is no longer allowed, such as petrol stations, cafes and restaurants, will no longer be allowed to sell tobacco, according to the government bill, which has yet to be passed by the House of Representatives. the Republic. However, convenience stores are an exception to this rule. “With regard to convenience stores, insofar as they are commercial establishments selling to the public, and in accordance with the proposed law, it will continue to be possible to sell tobacco, except for sales through vending machines, which will be limited to specialized tobacco retail outlets, at airports, train stations and maritime stations, as long as they are not less than 300 meters from educational institutions and other places for minors,” he explained to DN/Dinheiro Vivo, official source of the Ministry of Health.
The guardianship, led by Manuel Pizarro, reaffirmed that “the bill provides for a transitional arrangement that allows economic operators to adapt to the new rules until January 1, 2025”. From then on, the sale of cigarettes is only possible in tobacconists, convenience stores, airports, train stations and maritime stations.
The director’s diploma also equates heated cigarettes with conventional cigarettes. For example, from October this year, the sale of “heated tobacco with flavorings in its components” will be prohibited, the bill says.
Tobacco with menthol or other flavorings will even be banned
There was doubt whether menthol would also be banned. The Ministry of Health explained to DN/Dinheiro Vivo that “heated cigarettes with a distinctive menthol flavor will now be banned under Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2022/2100 of 29 June 2022”.
“All flavorings falling within the definition of “characterising flavour”, ie a distinct smell or taste other than tobacco and arising from an additive or combination of additives, including fruit, spices, herbs, spices, alcohol, confectionery, menthol or vanilla , among others,” an official source from Manuel Pizarro’s office described.
“The new rules will come into force on October 23, 2023 in relation to any distinctive flavour, including the aroma of menthol, throughout the European Union, in accordance with Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2022/2100 of June 29, 2022”, the ministry stressed. .
In addition, under current legislation, conventional flavored cigarettes may no longer be sold in Portugal. On May 20, 2020, the sale of conventional menthol tobacco was banned in our country due to the transposition of a Community directive.
This comparison of conventional tobacco to heated tobacco will also be reflected in the packaging, which will begin to present “combined health warnings, with text and photography,” according to a question-and-answer paper published in the place from the government.
Concerning the shares of packages of heated tobacco with flavors still in the points of sale, at the time the measure comes into force”, the bill provides for a transitional arrangement that allows stocks of products previously placed on the market to be disposed of the date of entry into force of the new law, in October 2023,” reveals the Ministry of Health, without however explaining how.
The bill also provides for a ban on smoking on outdoor terraces or patios covered or bounded by walls or other types of structures, fixed or removable, on indoor patios, terraces and balconies, as well as near doors and windows thereof. branches.
And from October 2023, it will be prohibited to create new areas reserved for smokers in areas where smoking is already prohibited in closed areas, such as cafes or restaurants, with the exception of airports, train stations, bus stations in passenger and sea ports. and river stations.
The fences that have these areas under the regulation that came into force at the beginning of 2023, namely catering establishments and similar establishments, can keep them until 2030.
Salomé Pinto is a journalist for Dinheiro Vivo
Source: DN
