The timing will be known once the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Health Ministers’ Council reaches the final agreement on transitional periods, he says. The minister noted, however, that Lithuania could implement the provisions of the directive faster.
“It can actually be expected that we will provide the government, its strategic committee with the analysis of the actual situation in Lithuania… We will propose to decide [on the measures restricting tobacco use],” Andriukaitis said at a news conference on Wednesday.
He says that the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Health Ministers’ Council should agree on the directive by December 10 and the Parliament will vote on the new directive next March.
“Obviously, our Council meeting will be held on December 10 and we have to reach compromise solutions by that date and have to know the final opinion of the Council. This will be followed by another – the second – voting at the Parliament so as to approve the decision reached through trilateral talks. I believe it may probably be held in February or March next year,” the minister said.
The European Parliament on Tuesday voted to ban cigarette flavorings. However, it refused to ban slim cigarettes.
