In February 2023, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Slovenia submitted the proposal of the Act on Amendments to the Restriction of the Use of Tobacco Products Act (in accordance with the Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2022/2100) into public consultation until 30th of March 2023. The proposal included comprehensive changes to tobacco legislation, aiming to enhance public health protections.
The proposed amendments introduced several significant changes:
Slovenian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) actively participated in the public consultation process. They supported the amendments, issued public statements, and engaged with the media to garner public support. The national tobacco control group, led by the National Institute of Public Health, played a pivotal role, including representatives from various health and environmental organizations such as the Slovenian Coalition for Public Health, Environment and Tobacco Control; Youth Network No Excuse Slovenia; Ministry of Health; National Laboratory of Health, Environment and Food; National Institute of Public Health; University Clinic Golnik and WHO country office in Slovenia.
Opposition mainly came from vape shop owners and a vapers’ NGO, who argued that flavoured electronic cigarettes aid in smoking cessation. Despite this, NGOs continued to advocate for the amendments, emphasizing the health benefits.
In September 2023, the Slovenian Coalition for Public Health, Environment, and Tobacco Control (SCTC) sent a letter of support to key government figures, backed by 160 health NGOs. This advocacy led to public endorsements from the President and Prime Minister of Slovenia.
In October 2023 the Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob announced a possible increase of excise duties on tobacco and tobacco-related products. Slovenian Coalition for Public Health, Environment and Tobacco Contro followed with a Letter of Support addressed to the Slovenian government, rallying international NGOs to endorse the amendments.
“We sent the letter to foreign NGOs in the field of tobacco control, where we are active members (European Public Health Alliance – EPHA, European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention – ENSP and SmokeFree Partnership – SFP). We asked them to forward the Letter of Support to their members and ask them to sign the letter and send it to the Slovenian government. Some members have also added additional facts and links to researches in the letter. This proved to be successful. A network of NGOs, which help each other, is extremely important in achieving changes in the field of tobacco control.” says Mihaela Lovše, President of the Slovenian Coalition for Public Health, Environment and Tobacco Control.
Their efforts culminated in November 2023, when the government approved the proposed changes, albeit with some compromises. Other efforts have been deployed in the meantime to support other amendments. By March 2024, the proposed amendments were reviewed and supported by relevant parliamentary commissions. On March 28, 2024, the National Assembly unanimously approved the legislation, marking a significant victory for public health.
The biggest achievements of the amended legislation are the ban on all flavours (except the tobacco flavour) in electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products and shortening of the transition period of the smoking rooms ban. Smoking rooms will only be able to be used until 31 December 2025, after that they will be banned as well.
The protection of children and adolescents’ health and ensuring healthy living environment are guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia and must take precedence over the right to free economic initiative and profits generated by products harmful to health, which are used primarily by children and adolescents. The Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia clearly states that economic activity may not be carried out in conflict with the public health benefit.
On 9 April 2024 the amendments to the tobacco legislation were published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia.
The law enters into force on April 24, 2024. The transitional period for e-cigarettes will end on 24 April 2025.
“The case study of how Slovenia managed to achieve the changes to the tobacco legislation (in accordance with the Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2022/2100) is important as it serves as a model of good practice to other countries, which have yet to achieve the same. We hope that the Slovenian model of good practice can help other countries to follow Slovenia’s path.”, mentions Mihaela Lovše. “We would like to especially thank European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention, SmokeFree Partnership, European Public Health Alliance and all of their members”.
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