In a significant move to protect public health, President Petr Pavel signed a new law on Monday that bans flavored heated tobacco products in the Czech Republic. The law, which aligns with a mandatory directive from the European Union, will take effect on October 23, 2022, without any transitional period for sellers to clear their stocks.

The decision to enact this law comes as a response to the growing sales of heated tobacco products within the European Union. The directive, introduced in June of last year, prohibits the sale of tobacco products with characteristic flavors or containing aromas in various components, including filters, papers, packaging, capsules, or any technical elements that alter the smell or taste of the tobacco or the intensity of the smoke.

This ban, which already applies to cigarettes and hand-rolled tobacco, will now extend to heated tobacco products, as announced by the State Agricultural and Food Inspection in March. The directive is expected to be approved by July of this year.

Several brands of tobacco-heating devices are currently available in the Czech market, such as Pulze by Imperial Brands, glo by British American Tobacco (BAT), and Iqos by Philip Morris CR. According to the 2021 annual report of BAT, sales of Neosticks for glo devices increased by 424 percent. Philip Morris CR reported approximately 530,000 adult users of their Iqos device in the Czech Republic last year, with around 350,000 users successfully quitting traditional cigarettes.

A recent Ipsos survey indicated that 16 percent of users would consider returning to traditional cigarettes if flavors were banned. Antonín Berdych, a spokesman for the Chamber of Electronic Vaping (KEVAP), has previously cautioned that a flavor ban might prompt individuals to create their own fillings using freely available products, posing potential health risks due to improper handling or uncontrolled substances.

The ban on flavors in heated tobacco products was added to an amendment of the public health law by Members of Parliament. The amendment also includes provisions regarding voluntary vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) for girls and boys aged 11 to 15, and free vaccination against meningococcal disease for children aged 14 to 16. Additionally, the amendment eliminates the requirement for a food card, which is currently mandatory for individuals employed in the food industry.

In a separate amendment signed by the president on Monday, companies convicted of insurance fraud will be allowed to participate in public tenders. This proposal, in line with the European Commission’s stance from November 2019, aims to simplify administrative procedures while ensuring that convicted suppliers of insurance fraud cannot evade criminal liability. Selected suppliers will be required to provide a sworn declaration attesting to their eligibility and absence of any convictions specified by law, preventing conglomerates from circumventing criminal responsibility.

The newly signed laws reflect the Czech government’s commitment to safeguarding public health, enhancing transparency, and streamlining administrative processes in various sectors.