Agenda Profile: Lauri Laats
Second reading of the draft law amending the Tobacco Act (223 SE)
2025-04-16
15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary session
Political Position
Supports the objectives of the draft amendment to the Tobacco Act: to reduce the attractiveness of vaping, limit flavor options, and regulate the market for youth protection. This is a strong and policy-driven stance, centered on public health and the reduction of harmful effects. Alternative policy options are not mentioned; the focus is on strengthening the existing draft.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
Shows a technical understanding of how vaping operates: describes the product as two-part (the heating element/coil and the liquid) and addresses the legal and illegal markets and their impact on youth.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The tone is calm and informative, utilizing explanatory examples (such as the vape as a two-part product) and posing a question to the commission to encourage discussion. A slightly humorous keyword, [cigarette], is used, which helps elaborate on the explanation.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
He/She participated in the second reading debate on the draft amendment to the Tobacco Act and referenced the matter of committee deliberations, thereby demonstrating standard parliamentary conduct and a collaborative approach.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
Insufficient data
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Insufficient data
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
At the national level, the focus is on issues concerning everyone and the protection of young people; there are no regional references.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Emphasizes monitoring the economic impacts of regulation (e.g., reducing market attractiveness and curbing the black market) without offering specific tax policy or expenditure proposals; expresses support for regulation as a mechanism for influencing the market.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The focus is on protecting young people and reducing consumption among children; it stresses that robust regulation is essential because of the black market and the potential harm posed to consumers.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
He/She supports the bill currently undergoing its second reading and stresses the necessity of amending the bill's substance: namely, to draft legislation that makes the product less appealing, restricts flavors, and addresses the reduction of the black market; he/she also points to the deficiencies in the commission's discussions.
1 Speeches Analyzed