The display of tobacco products in shop windows will be prohibited in Belarus

From July 1, 2015, the display of tobacco products (or their samples) in shop windows and on other retail equipment will be prohibited in retail outlets. This was announced to journalists by Deputy Minister of Trade Irina Narkevich at a press conference dedicated to Consumer Rights Day, which will be celebrated in Belarus on March 15.

"Information about tobacco products in retail outlets and catering establishments will be allowed to be displayed only in the form of a list of tobacco products, indicating their names and prices. That is, we care about the health of our people, but at the same time, we do not restrict the rights of smokers - if they decide to smoke, they have the right to do so," Irina Narkevich noted.

Also, according to her, the production and circulation of non-smoking tobacco products intended for sucking, made from tobacco and non-tobacco raw materials, will be prohibited. In addition, the production and sale of goods that imitate the appearance or use the names of tobacco product types in their names will be banned.

According to the law "On Advertising," the advertising of tobacco products is completely prohibited in Belarus, places where alcoholic and low-alcohol beverages, and beer cannot be advertised are defined, and restrictions on the content of permitted advertising of such products have also been introduced.

The Deputy Minister stated that the measures taken to combat smoking and alcoholism are yielding positive results. In 2014, sales of tobacco products in Belarus decreased by 9.4% compared to the previous year, and sales of alcoholic beverages decreased by 7%. At the same time, Belarusian consumers are choosing natural alcohol - for example, sales of grape wines increased by 3.4%, while vodka, liqueurs, and other spirits were sold 10% less.

Yulia Dylenok - BELTA