UN in Georgia calls on parliament to ensure plain packaging regulation on tobacco
Plain packaging was originally expected to come into force across Georgia in 2018, but was postponed until the end of this year. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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The United Nations representation in Georgia has called on the country’s parliament to take immediate steps for ensuring the plain packaging regulation on tobacco products and avoid another postponement in the long-delayed requirement.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the UN office noted that while December 31 had been the deadline set for enacting the regulation, a legislative initiative had been recently submitted to the lawmaking body for postponing its implementation.
We call on the legislative body to reject the initiative and ensure that the plain packaging regulations will enter into force within the timeframe specified in the current law”, the statement said.
In its comments, the UN representation also explained regulation on plain packaging for tobacco products was one of the most powerful regulations to make the products less attractive and reduce the effect of misleading consumers about the harms of smoking.
UN in Georgia also highlighted steps taken by domestic authorities for reducing health, social and economic damage caused by active and passive tobacco use, mentioning the parliament’s adoption of tobacco control legislation in 2017, later recognised by international organisations and experts as a "visionary law" serving as an example for countries in the region.
Plain packaging was originally expected to come into force across Georgia in 2018, but was postponed until the end of this year.
A bill banning smoking in taxis and personal vehicles transporting minors is set to be presented to the Georgian parliament in its next session.
The number of adults who smoke cigarettes in Georgia hsa decreased from 31 to 28.2 per cent in Georgia in the last four years, reports the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
Starting today, smoking is prohibited inside all areas of all stadiums in Georgia which have administration.
The Georgian Parliament has adopted changes to the country’s tobacco-control legislation. The amendments were approved at its third reading with 85 votes in favour and one against yesterday.