The use of tobacco by minors in public places may be prohibited by law. In this regard, a legislative initiative has been submitted to the Senate, which will be considered by specialized committees.

The draft amends Law No. 349/2002 on prevention and combating the consequences of tobacco consumption and was signed by 29 PSD and PNL deputies and senators.

“The use of tobacco by persons under the age of 18 is prohibited in the following public places: public roads, parks, stadiums and sports fields, cultural institutions, theater halls, institutions or economic facilities, vehicles, bus stations. , railway stations, state and private airports and in state or private educational institutions, as well as in a radius of 200 m around them,” the draft law states.

Non-compliance with these provisions by individuals will be punished by a fine of 100 to 500 lei.

In the justification, the initiators note that according to the study of the National Agency for the fight against drugs, there are reasons for concern about the use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs among young people.

“Looking at the national legislation in the field of public order, we see that Law 61/1991 on the sanctioning of acts of violation of social norms, order and public peace provides criminal responsibility for the consumption of alcohol by minors, but this law and no other does not use tobacco (smoking among minors ). As a result of these testimonies, we found that the Romanian legislation does not contain provisions on sanctions for the consumption of tobacco products by minors, and, as a result, the efforts of the authorities, teachers and people involved in the prevention and fight against the consumption of tobacco products (smoking) regarding this category, have no result,” the initiators explain.

The project is submitted to the Senate, and the Chamber of Deputies in this case is the forum for decision-making.