Non-smoking summer events in sight

Photo: Jelena Rudi

EU requirements and Estonia’s stricter tobacco policy prioritise protecting children and youth by halting sales of menthol cigarettes.

As all of Europe has agreed: to curb attractiveness of smoking, existing words of warning on cigarette packages are to be exchanged for Australian style ghastly preventive pictures – periodically changed to avoid turning into routine wallpaper. In addition to that, menthol cigarettes will disappear.

Social minister Taavi Rõivas acknowledged that throughout the Irish presidency, tobacco has been No 1 topic for Europe’s health ministers. The tough directive has been agreed upon, probably to be enforced in a year’s time. Then, three years of transition time will be granted to remove menthol cigarettes from store counters.

«The logic is that flavours which hide the unpleasant flavour of tobacco make smoking more attractive for young people and minors. It has been scientifically proven that children take up smoking starting with menthol cigarettes,» said Mr Rõivas.

Total ban impossible

Estonia is preparing its very own tobacco policy document, the process of which, according to Mr Rõivas, has been slowed down somewhat while the EU directive is in the making; in the autumn, however, he desires to start discussing the so called green book points in the government, expecting approval by ministers. «We cannot totally prohibit smoking, even though there are states that desire to do so, but people will always have their own final say personally. Still, smoking also harms the health of others,» added Mr Rõivas.

According to him, the green book team has discussed the option of giving local governments the right to decide whether they wish to totally ban smoking at open air events. «For instance, when Tartu hosts open air Lotte show, the Tartu town government will decide whether to totally ban smoking on the Tartu song festival grounds,» explained Mr Rõivas. «I personally consider that very wise.»

The same is being discussed regarding health trails – people walking along these should not have the right to smoke.

The minister acknowledged that every step cannot be regulated by state; people ought to take prudent decisions. He pointed back to 2004, when it was bitterly debated whether clouds of smoke should be forbidden in night clubs – a measure now considered totally normal.

Maybe we should consider separate shops for tobacco products, as in some European countries? «This idea did not prevail with our task force. But we are seriously considering a separate tobacco corner, like with alcohol,» said Mr Rõivas.

Estonian tobacco producers’ representatives and merchants lament the low level of discussions on new local rules. Mait Palts, director general of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, thinks that with such substantial changes the state should have much deeper cooperation with traders.

«With the tobacco policy green book, only the traders association was involved in the panel, when it came to entrepreneurs. Other partners were not included, though it was initially promised,» said Mr Palts.

Retrospectively, they have indeed been sent the green book, for comments; however, this is considered by Mr Palts to be mere formal inclusion, not a serious desire to listen to complaints, to discuss issues or seek compromises. «This, in our eyes, has been the biggest problem of the entire process, contrary to good involvement practice. Right now, one gets the feeling that there has been a panic attempt to avoid inclusion of entrepreneurs, to escape answering possible questions posed by them,» thinks Mr Palts.

Talking to producers not needed

In Mr Rõivas’ opinion, the task force has been altogether representative. According to him, the EU directive is being prepared pursuant to general World Health Organisation (WHO) rules: no discussions with tobacco producers. «I have been involved in excise politics for a very long time; I have made decisions irritable to tobacco producers, as during the crisis – partly because of need, partly because of awareness – we raised tobacco excise, as this is a tax that is avoidable by personal awareness, thereby a somewhat lenient taxation; and, in that process, it was possible to nicely discuss details of the legislation with them,» said Mr Rõivas.

Mr Palts did not dispute the positivity of attempts to shape people’s habits and raise awareness among youth; all measures to fight the black market also being of importance. «Essentially, entrepreneurs see no evil in a policy paper if it is  analysis-based and long-term by nature, respectful towards the interests of all parties and the essentials discussed,» stressed Mr Palts. «As it has to be acknowledged that the entrepreneurs involved in tobacco and alcohol have definitely been among those who, over the years, have faced the situation where state budgets being prepared, at the end of the year all eyes turn towards them, to acquire extra money with excise from their products, leaving the entrepreneurs with a very short space to adjust – a couple of months, often. Considering that, a long term view would surely be positive. What’s more: it has to be thorough and well analysed, fit for Estonia’s local conditions.»

ONE QUESTION

What are the dangers and problems, from the entrepreneurs’ point of view, considering the major changes related to the stricter tobacco policy to come?

Mait Palts

Director general of chamber of commerce and industry

A major hazard is definitely posed by careless and hasty enforcement of restrictions, possibly leading to extra expenses for both traders and producers. Plain packaging and limits to exposure of trademarks, and shoving the products «under the counter» obviously is a restriction problematic for us. When producers lack the possibility to differentiate their products, to exhibit product information or trademarks in places of sale, this is a serious limitation of principles of free competition.

Another set of problems is related to smuggling, the percentage of which is very high in various parts of Estonia, as it is. It would be naive to think that further excise or restrictions would alleviate the problem. It is rather to be feared that this will get worse, raising the issues of product safety, crime and budget revenues.