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Disproportionate bans and restrictions undermine the legal market and reduce state budget revenues
October 16, 2025
In fighting against smoking Europe and Latvia must choose the most effective strategy – disproportionate bans undermine legal business, promote illegal trade and uncontrolled release of harmful products, while smart and nuanced regulation can improve public health, increase tax revenues, protect jobs and limit illegal trade. A large-scale latest SKDS study on public attitudes towards the use of various tobacco and nicotine products was presented at the seminar, which took place in Riga on October 15, while a representative of the European Policy Innovation Council (EPIC) presented the tobacco and nicotine industry economic impact indicators.
Experts: disproportionate bans and restrictions undermine the legal market and reduce state budget revenues
In fighting against smoking Europe and Latvia must choose the most effective strategy – disproportionate bans undermine legal business, promote illegal trade and uncontrolled release
From Prohibition to Harm Reduction: What Matters Most?
The European Policy Innovation Council (EPIC) report emphasizes that transitioning from traditional cigarettes to alternative nicotine and tobacco products could be the most effective strategy
Restrictions and bans directly contribute to illegal trade and smuggling
The Smoke-Free Industry Association and the Latvian Association of Traders jointly organized the discussion “Challenges and Perspectives on Reducing Smuggling in the Eastern Border of
In Latvia traditional cigarette smoking is gradually being replaced by alternative smokeless products
In Latvia, 34% of the population uses tobacco and nicotine-containing products. While two-thirds of them smoke traditional cigarettes—the most harmful tobacco product—new smokeless products are
The seminar for traders about the changes in the Tobacco law related to the smoke – free products
In the jointly organized seminar by the Smoke-Free Industry Association and the Latvian Association of Traders, focusing on the latest amendments in the Tobacco Law
“The Illusion of Prohibition”. The documentary of Roberts Šteinbergs
“The Illusion of Prohibition” is a provocative documentary that reveals the “underlying pitfalls” of prohibition policies and helps understand the importance of effective regulation. “I
Public support for reducing the harm of smoking is increasing
The public understands that bans will not reduce the use of harmful habits or addictive substances. Support for harm reduction initiatives, switching to smoke free
The seminar for traders on smoke-free products
In the seminar on smoke-free products organised jointly by the Latvian Association of Traders and the Smoke Free Association, representatives of the trade companies were
Public perceptions of vaping harm are not in line with the evidence
Public perceptions of vaping harm are not in line with the evidence – conclude the researchers at King’s College London, U.K. The U.K.’s Office for
Choice for smokers – reduced harm alternatives and more information
Smokers should have access to alternatives and information, concluded the seminar “Towards a smoke free society” organised by the Smoke Free Association. Today in many
Experts: Changes in smoking reduction policy are necessary and inevitable
The non diminishing number of smokers, the high health risks and premature death risks caused by smoking are reasons to believe that changes in the
Unmask the Soot! Smoke Free Association of Latvia initiates the campaing against illegal trade of disposable e-cigarettes
Smoke Free Association of Latvia today, on 27th of October, 2021 initiates the campaign Unmask the Soot! aiming against illegal advertising, trade and use of tobacco
Experts: Latvia needs a reasonable regulation on smoke free products
In the seminar organized by the Smoke free Association regarding reducing the harm caused by smoking, upon participation of Latvian and foreign experts, the most
KANTAR public survey – smoking starts with cigarettes
The latest survey carried out by the public opinion company “Kantar” on the use of tobacco and nicotine containing products and the attitude towards smoke-free
