Lawmakers are proposing a ban on vapes and hookahs for teenagers

A bill has been introduced in the Verkhovna Rada that would ban the use of tobacco products, vapes, and hookahs by individuals under the age of 17.

This is stated in bill No. 15196.

The bill was introduced by MP Georgiy Mazurashu. The document proposes amendments to legislation restricting the use of tobacco and nicotine products among minors.

Specifically, the ban could apply to cigarettes, e-cigarettes (vapes), hookahs, herbal smoking blends, and tobacco heating devices.

The bill has already been submitted to the relevant parliamentary committee for review.

The author explains the need for such changes by the prevalence of vaping among teenagers. According to a WHO international study, nearly one in five teenagers aged 13–15 uses e-cigarettes.

In addition, nearly half of teenagers have no difficulty purchasing cigarettes, despite existing age restrictions.

The author of the initiative also suggests that in the future, Ukraine may introduce stricter restrictions following the example of other countries.

Under the procedural guidance of prosecutors from the Office of the Prosecutor General, an organized group was exposed that had established a smuggling operation to transport drugs from one of the EU countries and distribute them throughout Ukraine in the form of electronic smoking devices.