BAT and ANPC: Zero tolerance for selling nicotine products to minors

Deniza Cristian 22/06/2022 | 14:32

About 32,000 partner stores in Romania are included in BAT`s campaign developed in partnership with ANPC for zero tolerance for the sale of nicotine products to minors.

 

The sanctions for this law infringement have become more severe and, starting this year, applicable fines can reach up to 20,000 lei and the business / retail store closure. The „Choose Responsibly a Fair Commercial Behavior” is organized every year, to prevent people under the age of 18 to have access to products that are not intended for them.

As no minor should have access to nicotine products, ANPC provides consumers with the telephone number 021/9551 – Consumer`s phone, where anyone can report the law violation. According to the recently modified legislation, ANPC may apply fines up to 20,000 lei and closing down the commercial unit for those who sell nicotine products to persons under the age of 18.

„At BAT Romania, we are grateful to our business partners who choose responsibility and that are law compliance and do not sell nicotine products to minors and refusing to sell when any doubts related to the buyer`s age. This is not only a legal obligation, but also the correct and responsible attitude: no minor should have access to products intended exclusively for adults”, said Ileana Dumitru, Legal and External Affairs Director of the Central South Europe Area at BAT.

„If you start smoking before 18, you will find yourself appealing. So appealing that you will remain a slave of this decision for a long time. I recommend young people to make the decisions of those who now spend a lot of money trying to quit smoking. Rebelliousness will disappear and in its turn will remain the health problems, bad breath and an addict`s behavior”, said Horia Constantinescu, president of ANPC.

In its 25 years in Romania, BAT has continuously developed awareness programs for the retailers and consumers, with the aim of increasing the awareness on the legal provisions, but also on the reasons why minors should not have access to nicotine products. BAT is developing a strong brands portfolio, in line with its industry transformation, by introducing reduced-risk products*. All products in the company’s portfolio, such as all nicotine products on the market, are intended exclusively for adult consumers. Also, once with the development of digital commerce the way we interact with consumers has evolved, but regardless of the communication and retail channels we use, the rules and the need for responsible practices remain the same.

This year, the legal framework has been amended to include more severe sanctions for the sale of tobacco products to minors. According to the recent amendments introduced by Law no. 64/2022 regarding the amendment and completion of Law no. 349/2002 for the prevention and combating of the effects of tobacco consumption to minors is sanctioned with a fine of 10,000 lei and with the complementary sanction of legal suspension of activity for 30 days at the first infringement. A new contravention of this law is sanctioned with a 20,000 lei fine and with the complementary measure of closure of the unit.

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Deniza Cristian | 27/03/2024 | 17:32
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