In Belarus, it is illegal to vape in a car if a child under 14 years old is present. The law equates electronic cigarettes and heating systems with traditional tobacco, subjecting them to the same restrictions. Violations can result in fines up to 4 basic units (180 BYN), and citizens can report offenses via a police chatbot.
Key Takeaways:
- Car Ban: Vaping prohibited in vehicles with children under 14.
- Legal Status: Vapes are legally treated the same as cigarettes.
- Fines: Penalties up to 4 basic units (currently 180 BYN).
- Reporting: Police use a Telegram bot for citizen reports.
The Minsk police have confirmed that vaping in a private vehicle while a child under 14 is present is a violation of Belarusian law. This clarification comes amidst growing public confusion over whether electronic cigarettes are subject to the same restrictions as traditional tobacco, directly resulting in potential fines for drivers who assume vapes are exempt.
The Incident: A Mother’s Confusion
The issue was highlighted by a Minsk resident, Ilona, who was confronted by another driver while vaping in her car with her young daughter. The other driver threatened to report her to the police chatbot for smoking in front of a child. “I just had a vape! I was confused… can I really be punished?” she asked.
Major Denis Kalyuzhny of the Zavodsky District Police Department clarified the situation. According to Presidential Decree No. 28 (as amended in 2019), electronic cigarettes, vapes, and tobacco heating systems are legally equated to ordinary cigarettes. “The legislator makes no distinction between them and considers their consumption to be smoking,” Kalyuzhny stated.
Where Else is Vaping Banned?
The ban on vaping in cars with minors is just one part of a broader regulatory framework. The decree prohibits the use of electronic smoking systems in numerous public and shared spaces:
- Transport & Infrastructure: Public transport stops, underground passages, metro stations, and elevators.
- Public Facilities: Educational institutions, hospitals, sanatoriums, sports complexes, theaters, and government buildings.
- Recreational Areas: Playgrounds, beaches, and designated smoke-free zones in city parks and squares.
- Residential Areas: Auxiliary premises of apartment buildings.
Penalties and Citizen Reporting
Violating these rules falls under Article 19.9 of the Administrative Code of the Republic of Belarus. The penalty is a fine of up to 4 basic units. With the current basic unit set at 45 rubles, the maximum fine is 180 BYN.
The police also confirmed the existence of the “Minsk Police Feedback Official” Telegram bot (@MinskPolice_bot). Citizens can use this tool to report offenses by sending photos, videos, and descriptions of the incident. In Ilona’s case, a first-time offense might result in a warning, but repeated violations lead to fines and potential scrutiny from juvenile affairs inspectors, as the law aims to protect child health.
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