The Macedonian Ministry of Health remains fully committed to the adoption and implementation of the Smoking Prevention Law, in line with the legal deadlines.
The analysis of the comments received from the public hearing of ENER, as well as the positions submitted by stakeholders, institutions and the business community, is currently being finalized, after which the final version will be submitted to the Government next week, said the Ministry of Health (MoH).
“We stress that these adjustments do not change the essence of the law. The goals remain clear and unchanged: preventing young people from starting to smoke and creating generations without nicotine addiction, protecting workers and citizens from passive smoking in closed public and work spaces. Regarding the allegations of ‘phased implementation’, we clarify that this does not mean delaying its implementation after its adoption in Parliament. The law will enter into force after its adoption in line with the legal deadlines. The phase refers to the manner of application in the initial period, with the first phase being with enhanced supervision, information and warnings. The goal is for institutions, hospitality establishments 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,” said the Health Ministry in a press release on Monday.
