The Slovenian government has banned the use of most flavors in electronic nicotine delivery systems such as e-cigarettes and tobacco heating products, Euractiv reported. The only flavors allowed are tobacco and menthol.
The report quoted Ministry of Health spokesperson Valentina Prevolnik-Rupper as saying: "A growing number of studies show that among non-smoking teenagers, the use of e-cigarettes makes them more likely to start smoking regular cigarettes. Sex increased fourfold.”
The government is also banning smoking rooms in public places such as bars and airports because ventilation, filtration and other technologies have proven ineffective in preventing exposure to tobacco smoke, Ruppel said.
In an effort to stop black market sales of flavored products, the government plans to introduce new regulations that would prohibit individuals from selling or importing tobacco products in large quantities.
According to the Slovenian Ministry of Health, 3,100 people die from smoking in Slovenia every year.
