The Supreme Court of Ukraine made a final decision, according to which it is prohibited to smoke hookahs in public catering establishments, regardless of the composition of the mixture used for smoking. This decision became a significant step in the fight against the spread of tobacco products in Ukraine and the call to support the current legislation, which tries to reduce the harm of smoking to the health of citizens.
The Center for Civic Representation "Zhyttia" noted that this decision protects the right of citizens to a healthy environment free from the influence of tobacco smoke.
The case was considered based on the lawsuit of Endorphin LLC, which as early as 2023 contested the actions of the capital's State Production and Consumer Service. The company claimed that it does not sell tobacco, but only provides services for the preparation of hookahs. However, the Supreme Court did not agree with this position, noting that the preparation of hookahs is an incentive for the sale of tobacco products, which is prohibited in restaurants.
"The court's decision complies with Ukraine's international obligations, in particular the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and Directive No. 2014/40/EU," the "Life" Center emphasized.
Reference: The WHO Framework Convention, adopted in 2003, is aimed at combating the global tobacco epidemic. Ukraine, which is a member of the Convention, has undertaken to strengthen measures to control the distribution of tobacco products.
According to European directives, flavored cigarettes are banned, and packs of tobacco products must carry clear warnings about the dangers of smoking, including images of diseases. Such solutions help to create a safer environment for citizens, contributing to the reduction of tobacco smoking.
