Romania's anti-tobacco promotion bill rejected by parliament

This Tuesday, June 30, the Romanian Parliament rejected the bill with 233 votes against and only 29 for (23 abstentions).[1] introduced more than a year ago by deputies of the reformist party Save Romania Union (USR)[2]. The USR denounces the complicity of the majority parties with the tobacco industry.

The bill aimed to restrict advertising and electronic cigarettes

Emanuel UNGUREANU, Tudor POP and Adrian WIENER, members of the USR party, have submitted to the Chamber of Deputies a bill aimed at banning advertising for tobacco products and classifying electronic cigarettes under the same regime as conventional cigarettes.[3].

Specifically, the new law would have banned the sale of tobacco products on supermarket shelves and the use of e-cigarettes in enclosed public spaces, as well as their advertising, promotion, or sponsorship. Tobacco products would have been available only in specialty shops or bars, which are already restricted to those under 18.

For your information, the bill had already been relaxed regarding tobacco company sponsorship of cultural events after complaints from cultural figures, to only apply to events aimed at minors or to which minors are allowed access. The USR bill had received a favorable opinion from the Romanian Ministry of Health.

USR accuses majority parties of complicity with tobacco companies

In light of the total rejection of this project by members of the National Liberal Party (PNL) and Social Democrats Party (PSD) due to its "hyper-regulatory" nature and its misalignment with its objective, the reformist party denounces a situation of collusion.

In addition, a report on the economic impacts of this bill, conducted by the Competitiveness Initiative (INACO) and the Academy of Economic Studies (ASE), was presented to Romanian MPs. It stated that these restrictions would cause Romania's GDP to fall by 0.25% in the short term and 0.60% in the long term.[4] and criticized the USR for having submitted the project without having analyzed its impacts.

Collusion or not, it's too early to say. However, one thing is certain: the economic loss argument is the most common among pro-tobacco activists and is completely unproven. Tobacco costs the state far more than it generates. In other words, tobacco causes far more economic losses than gains, as it leads to serious illnesses and premature deaths, thereby hampering productivity and state revenues.

©Generation Without Tobacco

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[1] https://senat.ro/legis/lista.aspx?nr_cls=L443&an_cls=2019 [2] https://www.romania-insider.com/parliament-rejects-anti-tobacco-bill [3] https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-sanatate-24145593-tigaretele-electronice-nu-vor-avea-acelasi-regim-tigarile-clasice-iar-reclamele-tigari-expunerea-tigarilor-magazine-nu-vor-interzise-proiectul-lege-respins-parlament.htm [4] https://www.romania-insider.com/usr-psd-pnl-tobacco-siding-jun-2020 ©DNF - For a Zero Tobacco World |