Belarus plans to tighten state control over the circulation, production, and advertising of all nicotine products through changes to legislation. A draft law has already been prepared, titled "On Tobacco Raw Materials, Tobacco and Non-Tobacco Nicotine-Containing Products, Electronic Smoking Systems, Liquids for Them, and Systems for Tobacco Consumption."

This was discussed at the press center of the House of Press. The experts were Anastasia Kosova, a preventive medicine physician (head of department) of the Department of Public Health and Social-Hygienic Monitoring at the Republican Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health, and Inessa Grigorieva, scientific secretary of the Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Mental Health.

During the preparation of the document, the issue of a complete ban on electronic cigarettes in the republic was discussed. However, this creates a risk of smuggling smoking products of dubious quality and safety — as was the case, for example, with alcohol during Prohibition.

Therefore, it was decided not to introduce a complete ban, but rather to restrict and more strictly control the circulation of electronic and tobacco products in the country.

In addition, a ban on any advertising of electronic devices is being introduced — their images will no longer appear in retail areas, checkout zones, or other public places. It is planned to prohibit the display not only of cigarettes and liquids, but also of smoking devices — such "boxes" and showcases will disappear.

This measure is aimed at reducing the attractiveness of such products for young people through visual impact.

The experts reminded that in Belarus, control is exercised over the nicotine content in liquids for electronic vaping — its level is regulated by law, as is the presence of propylene glycol and glycerin. The composition of flavorings is checked to ensure that nothing beyond permissible limits enters the products.

Currently, Belarus is actively participating in the development of a "Technical Regulation on Nicotine-Containing and Nicotine-Free Products" for the EAEU countries (including vapes, liquids, nicotine pouches, and mixtures with heated tobacco). After the regulation is adopted, all liquids entering the market will have to comply with unified international standards, including indicators of purity and safety.

In the future, only glycerin, propylene glycol, flavorings, and nicotine will be permitted in the composition of liquids — no additional additives.

In Belarus, two types of electronic cigarettes are available: closed and open. Closed devices are supplied with liquid already inside or with replaceable cartridges, the contents of which the user cannot modify or change.

However, there are also open devices with a reservoir, where the user can add liquid themselves or create their own "cocktails." These custom mixes raise the greatest safety concerns, experts noted.

When drafting legislation, the idea of a complete ban on such devices was considered, but experience shows that it is impossible to completely eliminate the risk. Therefore, regulations provide for additional measures to control and restrict hazardous substances.

Certified products guarantee that the buyer receives a product with a specific composition. Those who seek thrills or like to experiment are taking a big risk.

The problem is that individual substances used in the liquids may be relatively harmless on their own. But when they interact with each other and are heated, they produce chemical reactions that are harmful to health and even fatal.

All flavor and aroma fillers were controlled and certified exclusively as food additives, and so far there are no international studies confirming the safety of such substances when heated.

The World Health Organization (WHO) rightly calls smoking the leading preventable cause of death and disease. Despite widespread awareness of the dangers, quitting this habit remains a difficult task for many.