Member of Parliament János Lázár has suggested that Hungary should become the first non-smoking country in the European Union.
The former Fidesz parliamentary group leader told Parliament that new laws are needed to prevent people below eighteen from becoming smokers and to protect those who do not smoke.
According to Portfólió, Lázár’s suggestion would contain points for stricter rules regarding smoking areas, financial penalties if someone smokes where it is forbidden, and to close retail outlets that serve cigarettes to those below the age of eighteen.
Lázár told Parliament that in the next twenty years, all traditional cigarette products should be banned in the country in order to help people quit smoking. Lázár would also ban e-cigarettes due to possible health effects, and an advertising ban would also come into effect.
He emphasized that smoking in vehicles and in communal spaces must also be banned, and cigarettes should not be served to Hungarian residents born after 2020.
Last year, approximately 220–22 thousand people died in Hungary due to smoking-related illnesses. Each year, 30–35 thousand Hungarians are diagnosed with cancer and 10 thousand suffer from lung cancer.
The report states that there are currently 2.5 million smokers in Hungary, and the government supports Lázár’s plan to implement changes across the country.
Photo source: usanews.com