April 13 - Sellers of e-cigarettes and other tobacco products will be fined around 430 euros ($469) for selling to minors under a recent amendment to Serbia's consumer protection law, it was reported.

In Serbia, minors can buy e-cigarettes and other products such as e-cigarettes at local markets, kiosks and even coffee shops, but sellers will now be fined for selling them, according to EurActive.

"There is no regulation on this issue in the legislative system of the Republic of Serbia. There is no definition of products such as e-cigarettes with or without nicotine, and there is no ban on sales to minors. That is why it is urgent to highlight the regulatory action that is now being implemented." Serbia's Ministry of Internal and External Trade said.

The relevant ministries announced that they had begun work on revising this section of the law on consumer rights and interests, which they considered a major national problem.

"The main objective is to ban the sale of products such as e-cigarettes to minors, which is a particularly sensitive category, so that sanctions will also be imposed on the sale, service and gift of these products." "The ministry said.

Under the new decision, businesses will be fined 50,000 dinars (430 euros) if they sell to minors, the ministry said.

The prevalence of e-cigarettes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems among non-smoking youth and adults represents a major public health concern because they encourage nicotine addiction and expose users to carcinogens.

They also increase the likelihood that individuals will start using other tobacco products, such as cigarettes, according to the ministry.

"All the studies conducted have concluded that by smoking e-cigarettes, with or without nicotine fillers, not only water vapor is released into the air, but some chemicals are also released. The harmful effects of these products are reflected in the health of individuals and are widely transmitted to all components of the environment." "It added.

The legal change would prohibit the sale, service and gift of e-cigarettes with or without nicotine to people under 18, as well as other products intended to smoke, snort, suck, chew or inhale vapor.