The Smoking Protection Law will go to a government session on Tuesday, and will enter into force immediately after it is passed by MPs. However, hospitality establishments have been given a one-year deadline to adapt their facilities. The Prime Minister, the Minister of Health and the guild associations are satisfied because they have developed the best solution for everyone through consultations, the goal of which is the protection of public health. Macedonian Prime Minister Mickoski announced rigorous inspection controls throughout the country.
According to Minister of Health Azir Aliu, the fact that 73 percent of young smokers, despite their age, have never been prevented from buying cigarettes is shocking. He says this shows that it is a matter of public health, the protection of children, the protection of non-smokers, the protection of workers and the creation of clear rules in public spaces.
Initially, the law was supposed to be implemented from March 2026, but it was withdrawn for further work, following reactions from hospitality business owners and the tobacco industry.
