Parents smoking near children to be held accountable in Latvia

The Latvian Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee approved the proposal to impose criminal liability against parents who smoke near children. The proposal was initiated from the Latvian Society of Physicians.

Doctors suggested that parents should be punished for smoking in the same manner as they are punished for child abuse. The members of the committee came to the conclusion that such amendments would help reduce the harm to children's health caused by passive smoking. The Seim will soon consider the proposal in the second reading.

Not that long ago, Russia adopted the Federal Law "On protection of public health from exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and the consequences of tobacco use."

The law established prohibitions on smoking tobacco in certain areas, as well as pricing, fiscal and organizational measures to reduce the demand on tobacco products and restrict tobacco trade. Additionally, the law stipulates restrictions on advertising and sponsorship of tobacco.