Estonia, Legislation, Markets and Companies

Ads that have been published before the entry into force of the Act may be shown till the end of their term, but not for longer than two months. The changes aim to protect persons and in particular minors from the harmful effects of tobacco.

"As compared with other European Union member states, Estonian school children try smoking at a very early age. We must create in all groups of the society the notion that tobacco has a harmful health effect, and every adult who smokes in public, shows a bad example to young people," said Health and Labour Minister Urmas Kruuse.

"Consumption of replacement products used in a similar way to a tobacco product creates for minors the wrong behavioural norm in the society that it is okay to smoke. Changing that attitude is also supported by the Tobacco Act amendments that will be effective on Sunday," added Kruuse.

In the future, products related to tobacco products such as e-cigarettes or herbal products that are smoked, cannot be sold to minors, and they cannot consume them. Young people are also prohibited to possess products meant for consuming tobacco, like pipes, hookahs and other pipe and cigarette devices. In addition, minors are not allowed to stay in smoking rooms and smoking areas.

The law also prohibits the handling of all smokeless tobacco products.