Last updated: January 31, 2025
Penalties
Sales Restrictions
A violation of sales restrictions is subject to a fine of 450 Euros. This fine is increased to: 1) 1,350 Euros for second violation within 2 years, 2) 2,250 Euros for a third offense within 3 years, and 3) 4,500 Euros for a fourth offense within 5 years.
However, the violation may not be disposed of with an administrative fine if the administrative fine is significantly exceeded by the economic benefit obtained from the violation.
Location-based Sales Restrictions
A violation of legal provisions regarding the sale of tobacco products in institutions, services and companies, managed by the State and in establishments for health care, welfare, social services, art and culture, sports, socio-cultural work or education, is subject to a fine of 450 Euros. This fine is increased to: 1) 1,350 Euros for second violation within 2 years, 2) 2,250 Euros for a third offense within 3 years, and 3) 4,500 Euros for a fourth offense within 5 years.
For natural persons and legal entities with less than 50 employees, the sale of tobacco products in supermarkets and hospitality locations is subject to a fine of 1,360 Euro. The fine is increased to: 1) 2,040 Euros for a second violation within 2 months, 2) 2,720 Euros for a third violation within 12 months, and 3) 4,500 Euros for a fourth violation within 12 months.
For legal entities with 50 or more employees, the sale of tobacco products in supermarkets and hospitality locations is subject to a fine of 2,720 Euros. The is increased to: 1) 4,080 Euros for second violation within 12 months, 2) 5,440 Euros for a third violation within 12 months, and 3) 9,000 Euros for fourth violation within 12 months.
However, the violation may not be disposed of with an administrative fine if the administrative fine is significantly exceeded by the economic benefit obtained from the violation.
Minimum Retail Package Size
The law does not specify the penalty for violating minimum retail package size.
Minimum Legal Sales Age
(e.g., seizure of the product, publication of the violation/violator)
A violation of the minimum legal sales age is subject to a fine of 1,360 Euro. The fine is increased to: 1) 2,040 Euros for a second violation within 2 months, 2) 2,720 Euros for a third violation within 12 months, and 3) 4,500 Euros for a fourth violation within 12 months.
A natural person or legal entity that violates the minimum sales age provision three times in a 12-month period may be denied the right to sell tobacco products for one to twelve weeks.
