The consumption of tobacco and alcohol by minors is considered a worrisome and growing phenomenon, for which attention is being sought from parents and schools, but also from businesses that sell these products. And while the monitoring of businesses that do not respect the law prohibiting the sale of tobacco and alcohol seems to be challenging for the institutions, it is known that during the past year, only two businesses have been fined.
MIET, in a written response to KosovaPress, states that the consumer protection law also prohibits the display of tobacco, for which market inspectors take legal action whenever they encounter such cases. And even this part is not respected by the markets.
“Market inspectors on a daily basis, during each inspection, have the obligation to ensure that these provisions of the law are respected by economic entities that, among other things, deal with the sale of alcohol and tobacco. Since as a phenomenon it is difficult to identify during inspections, because the moment the inspectors are present, the economic operators are careful. However, during the year 2023, it was recorded that in two cases minors were allowed to buy tobacco and alcohol, since the seller did not ask the consumer to prove their age by means of an identification document. Court proceedings have been initiated against two economic entities. Also, the above-mentioned Law prohibits the display of tobacco, which is why the market inspectors, whenever they come across such cases, undertake legal actions,” MIET points out in an email response.
Neuropsychiatrist Sami Rexhepi tells KosovaPress that the sale and consumption of alcohol by minors is very worrying, as the number of young people who have started abusing tobacco and alcohol has increased and that the damage of these young ages is very great in the brain and lungs.
According to him, parents should be more aware of this issue, workers should respect the law for the benefit of children. He recommends that schools do more checks, since students use narcotics and other substances during outings organized by the school, but also during these events, minors should not be allowed to enter night clubs.
Meanwhile, sociologist Gent Xërxa says that in Kosovo, markets that supply alcohol are close to schools. But another problem, according to him, is that the minors themselves sell alcohol or tobacco as street vendors.
The Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade (MIET) asks consumers, in case they come across a violation of the law by any economic operator, to file a complaint with the Department of Consumer Protection, on the toll-free number: 0800 11000 or on the website https://konsumatori.rks-gov.net
