According to the Law on Tobacco Control, from September 1, 2018, new regulations enter into force. The National Center for Disease Control and Public Health explains in which case the seller of tobacco products will be fined.
As of today, changes should be implemented in the realization and placement of tobacco products.
In particular, it is prohibited to sell and/or display tobacco products, tobacco accessories and/or devices for tobacco use in shop windows, in glass cases, on counters, and on shelves or displayed otherwise in a manner that it is visible from outside the shop (except a special lighter for a cigarette, an ashtray and cigarette cases do not display trademarks and/or names of the products (commodities) of business entities involved in the tobacco industry, except for the sale and display cases in the duty-free zone of the airport). The violator will be fined with 2000 GEL (repeatedly 4000 GEL).
It is prohibited to sell tobacco products or tobacco accessories by a relevant shop using a drive-through. The fine is 2000 GEL (in repeated case 4000 GEL).
It is prohibited to sell tobacco products without packaging (a pack) – the fine is 150 GEL and 300 GEL for repetition.
It is prohibited to sell tobacco products within a 50-meter radius of childcare, educational and educational/care institutions and in the territories adjacent to them. The fine is 200 GEL (in repeated case 400 GEL).
It is prohibited to sell tobacco products to persons under 18 years of age. The fine is 150 GEL (in repeated case 300 GEL).
It is prohibited to sell tobacco products in the sections of retail stores where children’s clothes and toys are sold; the fine is 200 GEL (in repeated case 400 GEL).
It is prohibited to sell tobacco products from electronic or mechanical vending machines; the fine is 200 GEL (in repeated case 400 GEL).
It is prohibited to sell tobacco products via the Internet or mail; the fine is 2000 GEL (in repeated case 4000 GEL).
It is prohibited to give or offer gifts, to give tobacco products, tobacco accessories and/or devices for using tobacco or offer to sample tobacco products in order to sell them; the fine is 200 GEL (in repeated case 400 GEL).
The medical warning message, envisaged by the legislation of Georgia, which includes a principal warning message, an additional warning message (along with a relevant pictogram envisaged by the Georgian legislation, and along with a relevant written statement in the case envisaged by Subparagraph “a.e” of Article 3 of this Law) and a contact telephone number shall appear on each pack and carton of a tobacco product.
