Government is trying to help tobacco companies

With this law, many restrictions had been made to businesses that did produce and sell tobacco.

Despite this law, the Kosovo government is working to facilitate the tobacco industry's work.

For this, at the request of the Kosovo Economic Ode, Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj has committed an inter-ministerial council, which is making drafting a document concept.

Such an act is considered to conflict with the Law on Tobacco Control, which prohibits the government from supporting or helping tobacco production in various ways.

The government has argued that with this initiative it will open new jobs, but Kodra says it is endangering public health.

Kohavision has contacted the new chairman of the Kosovo Economic Ode, Berat Rukiqi, but he has said there is little information.

Annie, why was he secretary in advance at this institution, Rukiqi said she could not talk about the matter, since only a few days ago she took over the post of chairman.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister's Office, through a written reply, has only confirmed that it is working in this direction but without specifying exactly what this concept contains.

There is nothing concrete in this direction because it is still in the phase of discussions by all parties involved in the process. It means that the government, through the Ministry of Finance that is leading this, will discuss with all parties involved in the process and take on everyone's opinions on the basis, before deciding on the final draft of this document”, the Kosovo Government says in response.

However, the Association of Patients has raised doubts that by means of this initiative, there will be changes to the Law on Tobacco Control.