site.btaEconomic Policy and Innovation Committee in Parliament Approves Second Reading of Bill Banning Vapes, Energy Drinks for Minors

The Parliamentary Committee on Economic Policy and Innovation on Tuesday adopted at second reading the bill amending and supplementing the Act on Tobacco and on Tobacco and Related Products, tabled in February by the Chair of the Committee on Healthcare Kostadin Angelov.

The bill proposes a complete ban on the sale, use and advertising of vapes, as well as energy drinks consumed by children.

This was one of the most long-deliberated bills, said Committee Chair Petar Kanev (Bulgarian Socialist Party – United Left). “For nearly two months we kept holding working groups, the last of which took place yesterday, and I believe we succeeded in reaching consensus both with employer organizations and the individual ministries,” he added.

The members of the Committee debated when the bill should enter into force, given that certain provisions require notification by the European Commission. They decided to submit the draft law to the plenary for a second vote, but it will not enter into force until the notification is received.

Parliament voted 197-0 at first reading in February to ban the marketing and sale of disposable and reusable electronic cigarettes (vapes) and similar devices.