Andorra to Introduce New Law in October to Further Restrict Tobacco Consumption

The Government of Andorra will present a new bill in October aimed at further strengthening restrictions on tobacco consumption in the Principality.

According to RTVA, the future legislation will introduce new measures aimed at limiting advertising and changing aspects related to the content of tobacco products.

The initiative comes as cigarette consumption continues to decline and several European countries are introducing increasingly strict measures to reduce smoking.

While France is considering banning the sale of tobacco to people born from 2014 onwards and the United Kingdom is set to introduce a similar measure for those born from 2008 onwards, the Andorran Government has, for the time being, ruled out introducing a generational tobacco ban.

Growing Concern Over Vaping Among Young People

According to Health Minister Helena Mas, the future law will focus on areas such as advertising and the composition of tobacco products.

The Health Minister has also warned that, although traditional cigarette consumption continues to fall, there is growing concern about the increasing use of nicotine-delivery devices among younger people.

Information reported by RTVA also includes comments from Raül Calvo, president of the Andorran Tobacco Importers Association, who acknowledged that the sector will have to reinvent itself to adapt to changing consumption habits and new regulations.

Calvo argued that reducing smoking should be achieved through education and awareness, rather than through bans that he considers discriminatory.

However, he acknowledged that the industry will have to find new business opportunities and said that Andorra “cannot become a sanctuary” for tobacco consumption among generations affected by future restrictions in other countries.

The Future of Tobacco Farming

At the same time, the Government is also studying alternatives for existing tobacco fields.

According to Environment Minister Guillem Casal, one option would be to convert the land into pasture to strengthen the livestock sector and boost the production of Carne d’Andorra.

The Government has also opened the door to developing other highly regulated crops, such as cannabis for specific purposes, provided that the sector receives administrative support to facilitate the transition for farmers.

The new legislation, expected to be presented in October, will represent another update to Andorra’s tobacco regulatory framework and could introduce tighter restrictions on advertising, tobacco products and their composition.