According to the Tobacco Control Alliance, the sharp rise in the use of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products over the past three years has become a particularly serious challenge.

At the same time, as stated in information released by the organization, 75% of the population supports changes that include raising the legal age for purchasing tobacco from 18 to 21, increasing fines for violations of smoking regulations in enclosed spaces, and other measures.

“According to the 2025 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), Georgia has made significant progress: over the past decade, tobacco use has declined from 33% to 24%. However, despite this 9% decrease, the figure still significantly exceeds the European average. A particularly serious challenge over the past three years has been the sharp increase in the use of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

This situation is concerning, as Georgia’s strategic goal is to move from tobacco control to a tobacco endgame policy and to become a ‘tobacco-free country’ by 2040. This means reducing the use of tobacco and all nicotine alternatives in the population to below 5%. This step is vital to reducing the catastrophic financial and demographic burden associated with premature mortality (damage caused by tobacco is ten times greater than the taxes contributed to the budget by the industry).

To achieve this goal, it is necessary to:

• Ensure equal taxation of all tobacco products and raw materials (including loose tobacco) to prevent consumers from switching to cheaper alternatives.

• Have Georgia accede to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products in order to minimize smuggling.

• Extend plain packaging and advertising ban regulations to nicotine-free electronic cigarettes and herbal smoking products as well.

• Ban all flavors (except tobacco flavor), which make these products attractive to children and adolescents.

• Raise the legal age for purchasing tobacco from 18 to 21.

• Prohibit individuals born after 2015 from purchasing tobacco products for their entire lifetime.

• Double fines for tobacco sales near schools and kindergartens (within a 50-meter radius) and restore a special licensing system.

• Increase fines for violations of smoking rules in enclosed spaces: GEL 1,000 for the first offense, GEL 3,000 for a repeat offense, and GEL 5,000 for subsequent offenses.

• Completely ban smoking in casinos and on theater stages. Increase the fine for smoking in the metro to GEL 100.

• Have the government approve a regulatory act on transparency in relations with the tobacco industry.

• Increase the laboratory capacity of the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) and restore funding for tobacco control programs (which was reduced from GEL 600,000 to GEL 400,000 in 2025).

• In line with international practice, impose compensation obligations on the industry for damage caused to public health.

According to the 2025 survey, 75% of the population supports these changes. This is a direct public mandate. The government’s real will to protect the lives of future generations must be reflected in taking these concrete steps; otherwise, it will be proof that the interests of the tobacco industry are placed above the health of citizens,” the Tobacco Control Alliance states.