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The amendments prepared by the Commission on Sanitary Affairs of the Seimas provide for the prohibition of smoking on the balconies, terraces and loggias of apartment buildings when at least one resident of the house objects to smoking.
Likewise, starting next year, smoking will be prohibited at public transport stops, playgrounds and outdoor cafes, restaurants, and table bars, except in smoking areas.
Smoking would continue to be prohibited during outdoor sports competitions or other outdoor events, except in smoking areas.
69 members of the Seimas voted in favor, 4 against and 7 abstentions. President Gitan Nauseda will still be able to veto amendments to the law.
Opinions differ
Seimas member Antanas Vinkus urged colleagues to vote for the amendments, prompting residents to be asking for help from lawmakers.
“The number of requests from the population to help families, women and children who can no longer use their property due to the constant smell of tobacco from their neighbors is constantly increasing. Residents ask for the help of legislators, because benevolent requests to neighbors do not work, ”said A. Vinkus.
Seimas Gintaras member Vaičekauskas criticized the amendments, noting that it is unclear who will punish and control smokers.
“Who will answer why they cannot agree on the beautiful? I will vote against another ban in Lithuania,” said G. Vaičekauskas.
Farmer Tom Tomilin supported the amendments to the law, recalling that this is the third term when the Seimas is trying to restrict smoking areas.
“Human rights have ended when someone else’s right to healthy air is violated on their property,” Tomilin said.
Health Minister Aurelijus Veryga said that “the human right to health is inherent,” so he urged his colleagues to vote for amendments to the law.
“Apparently, it must be emphasized once again that the goal is not to create some kind of universal surveillance or grievance procedure, but to grant rights and opportunities to people who want to protect their families and children,” Veryga said.
You want to protect yourself from health hazards
“There is growing criticism and complaint that people do not have the opportunity to protect themselves and their children from the health risks of secondhand smoke due to the irresponsible behavior of their neighbors.
Due to its physical properties, tobacco smoke often and in large quantities enters the apartments of neighbors: neighbors are forced to passively smoke in their homes or cannot ventilate rooms, use their balconies, causing not only inconvenience but also damage to health ”, explains the reason for the law. project promoters.
Since 2014, the Seimas has repeatedly rejected proposals to ban smoking on balconies. Opponents of the amendments argue that the ban would not be feasible.
You will have to make sure that the smoke does not reach the neighbors
In accordance with the modifications adopted, the procedure for the implementation of this provision shall be established by the Government or an institution authorized by it. The manager of the common use objects of the apartment building, the association of the apartment building or the municipal executive body will be responsible for the installation of informative posters on the prohibition of smoking on the balconies, terraces and loggias of the apartment building.
The law stipulates that the owner of a building or apartment or another natural person who uses a property and smokes in it must ensure that tobacco smoke does not enter the premises of another owner and the premises of the same apartment.
At the request of the official with the right to conduct an investigation of administrative infringement, the owner of the apartment or premises or the holder of other property rights shall provide this official with the name (name and address of the person who smoked on the balcony, terrace, lodge).
The owner of the apartment or premises or the holder of other property rights, who has not indicated the data of the person who smoked on the balcony, terrace, loggia of the apartment or premises, will respond in accordance with the Code of Administrative Offenses.
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