Interpellation concerning the use of electronic cigarettes (No. 377)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session.
Date: 2024-01-15 22:06
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 18
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 29m
AI Summaries: 18/18 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debated Inquiry No. 377, submitted by Riigikogu members Tõnis Mölder and Jaak Aab on May 13, 2023, concerning the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) in Estonia. The inquiry centered on the e-cigarette black market, its regulation, and supervision, particularly regarding product availability to minors. The questioners emphasized that despite the ban on flavors and scents and the reintroduction of excise duty, the black market is flourishing, allowing prohibited products to reach young people.
Minister of the Interior Lauri Läänemets responded to the inquiry, clarifying that the Ministry of the Interior itself does not directly monitor the illicit e-cigarette market; this falls under the jurisdiction of the Tax and Customs Board (MTA). The Minister presented MTA statistics for 2022 and the first five months of 2023, detailing the number of inspections and the volume of confiscated liquids. Läänemets described the preventative work carried out by the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) in schools and their cooperation with educational institutions, but stated that the police's supervisory authority is limited to identifying consumption by minors. During the debate, the Minister expressed his personal view that all flavors should be eliminated and excise duties increased, contrasting with the questioners' proposal to consider legalizing certain products to curb the black market.
Decisions Made 1
No legislative decisions were adopted during the response to the inquiry. The session was limited to an informative discussion and the Minister's reply.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Tõnis Mölder, the representative of those who submitted the interpellation. Mölder introduced the interpellation, posed a clarifying question to the minister, and used the debate time for an extended statement of his position. Mölder's position was market-oriented and pragmatic: he criticized the ineffectiveness of bans (e.g., flavor bans), which, in his estimation, push consumers toward the black market, citing the migration of alcohol excise duty to Latvia and the regulation of snus (oral tobacco) as examples. Mölder advocated for the legal introduction of certain products onto the market and strict regulation so that the state could collect excise duty and maintain control over products that are being consumed regardless. His position was aimed at eliminating the black market through regulation.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
At the Riigikogu, the interpellation (No. 377) by Tõnis Mölder and Jaak Aab concerning the use of electronic cigarettes is being debated, to which Minister of the Interior Lauri Läänemets will respond. Furthermore, the representative of the questioners has requested that the interpellation be presented to the Estonian public.
Tõnis Mölder
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tõnis Mölder submitted a query to the Minister of the Interior regarding e-cigarettes, focusing on the regulation and oversight of the black market. He posed four questions concerning accessibility for minors, the size of the black market, the identification of the origin of confiscated e-cigarettes, and the origin of products confiscated from schoolchildren, along with the number of proceedings initiated concerning these matters.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas asked Minister of the Interior Lauri Läänemets to answer interpellation no. 377.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
In his presentation, Minister of the Interior Lauri Läänemets stated that monitoring the size of the illicit e-cigarette market is not the responsibility of his ministry, but rather the Tax and Customs Board carries out the control. During inspections conducted in 2022 and 2023, 244 and 159 violations were discovered, along with 404,391 ml and 401,779 ml of e-liquids, respectively. To reduce youth consumption, the National Institute for Health Development, the Police and Border Guard Board, the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority, and local governments are cooperating. Interviews and controlled purchases are being conducted to determine the origin of e-cigarettes confiscated in schools, and the number of misdemeanors committed by minors involving e-cigarettes between 2020 and 2023 was 37, 46, 43, and 32, respectively.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas thanked the minister, noted that there were questions, and invited Tõnis Mölder to take the floor.
Tõnis Mölder
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
I would have expected a broader and more detailed analysis, and I emphasize that these are health-damaging products, which we do not promote, but they are present and visible in public spaces. Furthermore, illegal products banned in Estonia are also being used. Therefore, certain product groups should be legally permitted on the market, and oversight should be strengthened to ensure the black market is kept under control.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Lauri Läänemets said that although he does not consider himself an expert, his personal opinion runs contrary to wider availability: e-cigarettes and tobacco products must be restricted, flavors must be abandoned, and they must be heavily taxed. Furthermore, control over e-commerce and cross-border orders must be improved, because the problem lies primarily in people's attitudes, not the black market.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas called upon Kalle Grünthal to speak.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal claims that bans do not work, instead creating smuggling and health risks. Therefore, prohibited items should be allowed under controlled conditions, as demonstrated by the United States' 1920 Prohibition and the context surrounding regulations on e-cigarette flavor liquids.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets stated that a complete ban does not solve the problem. Instead, efforts should focus on preventing new e-cigarette flavors and variants from entering the market, and consideration should be given to penalizing minors for acquiring them. However, the primary solution is increasing parental awareness that these products are not safe and pose a risk to health.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas calls upon Rain Epler.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler is asking how to operate more effectively in the field of internal security, and whether a controlled retail chain or a stricter sales regime would help restrict minors' access and reduce the black market for alcohol and e-cigarettes.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
In response to the Riigikogu interpellation, Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets stated that he had only just begun investigating the topic and was not claiming to possess the final truth. Regarding the issue of cannabis, he emphasized that the opinions of healthcare professionals vary, and it is preferable to restrict and control its availability. He added that access to tobacco products is already limited, and he adheres to the recommendations provided by healthcare specialists.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas thanked the minister, announced that there were no further questions, opened the debate, and invited Tõnis Mölder, the representative of the Riigikogu interpellators, to speak.
Tõnis Mölder
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tõnis Mölder stressed the necessity for the Tax and Customs Board to provide a substantive and detailed overview, focusing on reducing the black market, restricting youth consumption of harmful products, and implementing excise policy more strictly to prevent consumption from shifting to Latvia and to ensure the availability of legal products in Estonia.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Jüri Ratas makes only a polite request: "Please!"
Tõnis Mölder
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Discussing the black market for prohibited tobacco products, Tõnis Mölder emphasizes that this remains a major challenge, and tackling it requires strong state intervention and the development of a legal, strictly regulated market to ensure young people cannot access these products and that public health does not suffer.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
There are no further requests for the floor, I close the debate, and the interpellation has been answered.