Electronic cigarettes sold illegally in Kosovo, state intervention required

Health Commission member, deputy Bekim Haxhiu's PDK says that these cigarettes damage citizens' health until it requires that their sale be regulated by law because “the state loses budget”. This type of cigarette is sold in small shops illegally. The Market Inspectorate has already confiscated an amount of them. Express is awaiting an answer from Dogan on how these cigarettes are entering Kosovo.

The Health Ministry told Gazeta Express that 32 states have banned the sale of electronic cigarettes, while many others have made changes in their anti-smoking laws.

“currently, in addressing the issue of electronic Gypsies countries have so far adopted two approaches: Stop selling them or regulating them by law. There are at least 32 countries in the world that have banned their sale, until 79 other countries have made changes in their antismoking laws because of these tobacco products. Other states are in search of adapting the most appropriate solutions for addressing this issue”, the MS said.

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MP PDK, Bekim Haxhiu, said they have formed a commission and will come out with data on how electronic cigarettes are being traded illegally.

“We as the parliamentary health commission have been forming the tobacco law monitoring commission for nearly two months, we are waiting for reports in the end. After we have formed this commission to oversee the law on the implementation of the tobacco law, this campaign of Minister Peci has begun, we will finally come up with precise statistical data about how far the decisions have been implemented over the years, how electronic cigarettes are being traded illegally, how we are being sold, and then we will come up with the conclusion as a commission, we are waiting for the working group's report on this bill to monitor the tobacco bill's implementation and then we're due with recommendations<1>, Haxhiu said.

He said the illegal trade in state cigarettes is in budget loss and this should be regulated by law.

It should be regulated by law, it is a matter that cannot be traded illegally, and the state loses out of budget. But even there's no security for their control as to the aspect of health damage, we're late, but now we're waiting for the official report because I believe that after the commission's official report, we have the right time to consider Government and Parliament”, Haxhi said.

The same report in question added that the Parliament will be sent.

There's an illegal sale of electronic cigarettes in every country, and it's also a duty of inspectors to stop or it's a state duty by order. The report will be sent to the Assembly and reported in the Parliament. We hope that we will soon take him to the site”, Haxhiu concluded.

“MINT has seized cigarettes, requires citizens' help to provide information about where they're selling”

The Ministry of Industry, Intervention and Trade told Gazeta Express that during inspections on the market, cigarettes have been encountered with inscription “HEETS” and “SO BLANIE” and the same have been seized.

“Market Inspector during inspections conducted on the domestic market, during the past year and this year, has encountered products/cigare in particular with the “inscription HEETS” and “SO BLANIE”, which has been seized because the same have been placed on the market for sale, without documentation on the origin of the product/no origin”, says MINT's response.

On the other hand, MINT points out that anyone with information on the sale of these cigarettes cooperates with the state

“The Market Inspectorate inspects even small product sales objects, and in any case that claims irregularities or disrespect of laws, punitive measures are undertaken and or market selections are seized. The ongoing market inspector acts on the domestic market, as well as exchanges information with law enforcement institutions, more specifically with Customs and the Kosovo Police. Whoever has information, which in any resort or store is offered for sale these products, the Market Inspectorate is open to co-operation and action”, says their response.

MINT re-exemplifies that the Market Inspectorate has seized tobacco products, which are located on the market, contrary to applicable laws in Kosovo.

MINT says they are preventing exposure of electronic cigarettes and their ban on minors.

“In terms of tobacco products, the priority market inspectorate is overseeing the implementation of the tobacco control law, where they are preventing exposure to electronic cigarettes, the obligation to put the +18 sign in visible consumer countries, the ban on selling cigarettes to minor children, etc.”, concludes MINT.

How bad are electronic cigarettes?

The Health Ministry said that today in Kosovo, there is an increase in the use of electronic cigarettes, and for worse, an open advertising of them.

The Health Ministry says nicotine creates a lot of dependence and has been found that minors who have never smoked ENDS can double their chances of starting smoking later in life.

“Today, there are many different types of electronic cigarettes in use, also known as the electronic distribution systems of nicotine (ENDS) and sometimes as electronic systems of non-nicotic distribution (ENNDS). These systems heat up a liquid to create aerosol that is absorbed by the user. These so-called e-lax can either contain nicotine and usually contain aditives, flavors and chemicals that can be toxic to human health. Some products that claim to have no nicotine (ENNDS), following research by field experts, have been found to contain nicotine and therefore are tobacco products. . Nicotine consumption in children and teenagers has harmful effects on brain development, resulting in long - term consequences for brain development and potentially leading to learning and anxiety disorders. Nicotina creates a lot of dependence and it has been found that minors who have never smoked ENDS can double their ability to start smoking later in life”, the MS said.

Thus, MS points out that the use of ENDS can increase the risk of heart disease and lung disorders, as well as exposure of children in these environments pose serious risks.

Some recent studies suggest that using the ENDS may increase the risk of heart disease and lung disorders. Nicotine exposure to pregnant women can have similar consequences for the development of the fetus's brain. ENDS's use can also expose non-duhanpiers and passersby to nicotine and other harmful chemicals. Electronic distribution systems have also been linked to a range of physical injuries (due to battery explosion), including burns from explosions or malfunctions, when products are not expected or are manipulated by users. The child's accidental exposure to ENDS electronic fluids poses serious risks, since equipment can flow or children can swallow the poisonous electronic fluid”, follows MS.

MS, shows the dangerous composition of electronic cigarettes “these products generally contain Nicosia, toxic, different metals, but also carcinogenic or substance that causes cancer”.

Any tobacco product is forbidden to sell to under 18 years olds, with the Law on Tobacco Control, and this concerns all kinds of cigarettes and tobacco products”, the MS concludes.