Tag: Slovenia

  • Slovenia Bans Flavors and Smoking Rooms

    Slovenia Bans Flavors and Smoking Rooms

    Photo: Taco Tuinstra

    The government of Slovenia has banned most flavorings in electronic nicotine delivery systems such as e-cigarettes and tobacco-heating products, reports Euractiv. The only flavors still permitted are tobacco and mint.

    “There is mounting research showing that among adolescents who otherwise do not smoke, the use of electronic cigarettes raises the likelihood of them starting to smoke regular cigarettes by up to four times,” Health Minister spokesperson Valentina Prevolnik Rupel was quoted as saying.

    The government has also prohibited smoking rooms in public places such as bars and airports, as ventilation, filtration and other technologies have proven ineffective against exposure to tobacco smoke, according to Rupel.

    To discourage black market sales of flavored products, the government intends to introduce new rules prohibiting individuals from selling or importing tobacco products in bulk.

    Every year, 3,100 people die from smoking in Slovenia, according to Health Ministry data.

  • Illegal Cigarette Factory Dismantled in Slovenia

    Illegal Cigarette Factory Dismantled in Slovenia

    Photo: Europol

    French and Slovenian authorities have dismantled a cigarette factory in Slovenia that was supplying millions of counterfeit cigarettes to France, according to Europol.

    Initiated in October 2020, the investigation focused on an organized crime group involved in the illicit production and distribution of cigarettes. After two successful actions in France in April and May 2021 targeting the criminals involved in the distribution of these counterfeit cigarettes, the Slovenian authorities started a mirror investigation aimed at arresting the suspects responsible for the production of these illegal products.

    On Jan. 25, more than 100 officers from the Slovenian National Police Force and Financial Administration simultaneously raided 11 sites, including industrial premises and private residences. They were assisted in the field by officers from the French Gendarmerie as well as French magistrates from the Bordeaux Interregional Specialized Court and Europol officers. 

    This action uncovered several production sites established in warehouses located in remote areas of Slovenia. In total, more than 26 tons of tobacco were seized in Slovenia as well as 29 million filters, several cigarette-making machines and 10 tons of printed papers for packaging. The seized equipment was capable of producing cigarettes with a value of €13 million on the French market.

    Leaders of the criminal network were arrested in Croatia and Slovenia. They will be handed over to the judicial authorities in Bordeaux.

    In November 2021, the Slovenian Financial Administration seized an additional 12 tons of cut tobacco.