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The initiators of the law base the new restrictions on the example of Latvia. One of the initiators of the law, the green peasant Virginija Vingrienė, explained how the law would work in the “Aktualusis interiu” program of “Žinių radijo”.
According to the parliamentarian, first of all, there is the opportunity to reach an agreement with the neighbors.
“A neighbor who is bothered to smoke comes in and says, ‘There’s a law like that in the neighborhood, maybe on a no-smoking agreement on the balcony, because smoke is spreading through my apartment.’ If no agreement is reached, the municipality is contacted. Arrangements will be made. The municipality then obliges the administrator or manager of the house, and the administrator sends a letter within fifteen days indicating that smoking is not allowed on the balconies of the staircase of this house.
The residents then see, read and understand that they may have problems. If that is not enough, you can contact the police, who come to warn you. If it is maliciously impossible to reach an agreement, fines will be applied, “said V. Vingrienė.
According to the parliamentarian, the amount of the fines was not agreed.
Laws on fines already exist
Liberal Gintaras Vaičekauskas, who opposed the approval of the law, explained that there are already laws that provide for a fine for violating tobacco use.
“The fine for a smoking offense is 20 to 50 euros, for a repeated offense, 50 to 90 euros. If the owner of the room does not report who smoked, the fine is 90-150 euros”, – said G. Vaičekauskas.
The politician said he did not understand who needed that law.
“In a free country, people have to come to an agreement. The apartment building association hasn’t received any complaints about smoking. I don’t think this is a huge problem. If someone smokes on a baby, they are probably an idiot. Nobody smokes children, nobody does it specifically, it is possible to agree ”, said G. Vaičekauskas.
According to the MP, the law may be an additional source of discord.
“A neighbor may be angry, he starts writing complaints. Does the police have nothing to do?” Asked G. Vaičekauskas.
Believe the ban won’t work
Daiva Matonienė, president of the Lithuanian House of Housing, believes that the law will not work.
“It seems to me that this is an electoral trick. I think we should go more down the path of education, communication, cooperation,” said D. Matonienė.
In his opinion, this law “will incite greater discord, grievance practices” and will not contribute to the unification of the community.
Introduced a new ban
Delfi recalls that the Seimas has decided that from 2021 smoking will be banned on the balconies of the country’s apartment buildings if at least one resident of the house opposes smoking.
This proposal was supported by 69 votes to 4 and 7 abstentions.
If the neighbors do not object, smokers should make sure that the smoke does not enter the premises of other residents of the house. Signs to ban smoking on balconies would be the responsibility of the building manager, community or municipality.
Among other things, it is proposed to prohibit smoking during outdoor sports competitions or other events, covered public transport stops, playgrounds and where catering is provided to serve customers outdoors: at outdoor tables, gazebos, etc. . This ban would not apply to smoking areas.
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.
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