RIGA, June 22 (Xinhua) -- A new bill which is currently making its way through the Latvian parliament will oblige retailers to conceal cigarettes and other tobacco products from customers' view in a bid to discourage people from smoking, local media reported Friday.
According to the draft amendments to the law regulating distribution of tobacco in Latvia, these products will no longer be visible to shoppers and those looking for cigarettes will be offered price lists from which they will be able to choose the product they want.
The provision will apply to tobacco and other smoking products and devices, including electronic cigarettes, as well as trademarks. Information about the tobacco products available in the given store will be provided on price lists.
The requirement to hide cigarettes from shoppers will not apply to tax-free stores, passenger ships running on international routes, as well as specialized tobacco stores.
Aija Barca, chairwoman of the Latvian parliament social and labor affairs committee, said that the proposal to make cigarettes invisible to shoppers was intended to prevent smoking among young people and help those who are trying to drop this unhealthy habit to stay away from cigarettes.
Similar restrictions on tobacco products are already in place in several other European countries.
