Ministry of Health: The Law on Tobacco Protection will not be postponed, the final version will be submitted to the Government next week

Macedonia

Express newspaper

16/02/2026 14:56

The law on tobacco control, over 1 fines have been imposed within three months
The law on tobacco control, over 1 fines have been imposed within three months
The Ministry of Health, in a press release, says that it remains fully committed to the adoption and implementation of the Law on Protection from Tobacco, in accordance with the legal deadlines..

The Ministry of Health says that the analysis of the comments received from the public debate on ENER, as well as the positions submitted by interested parties, institutions and the business community, is currently being finalized, after which the final version will be submitted to the Government next week.

"We emphasize that these harmonizations do not change the essence of the law. The goals remain clear and unchanged: preventing smoking among young people and creating generations without nicotine addiction, as well as protecting workers and citizens from passive smoking in closed public and work spaces."

"Regarding the claims for "phased implementation", we clarify that this does not mean postponing its implementation after approval in the Assembly. The law will enter into force after approval, in accordance with the legal deadlines. The phase refers to the manner of implementation in the initial period, where the first phase will include increased supervision, information and warnings. The goal is for institutions, gastronomy entities and citizens to adapt, receive clear instructions and support, and for the culture of respecting the rules to be built sustainably in the long term", say the Ministry of Health.

They also say that they remain open to communication and to timely inform the public about every next step of the process.