Ida Ismail
While the law 'On the Protection of Health from Tobacco Products' exists on paper, its implementation on the ground seems to remain a 'fog' of smoke. According to official data provided by the State Health Inspectorate (ISHSH) for the period 2025-January 2026, it turns out that thousands of inspections have been carried out, but the fine figures speak of a different reality than the one we see every day in bars.
tobacco continues to be drunk freely in the indoor areas of many bars, restaurants and nightclubs across the country, although anti-smoking law clearly prohibits it for 20 years.
One of the main factors that may have contributed to the increase in this phenomenon is the recent government action against businesses, to free up public spaces. With tables removed from verandas and sidewalks, many customers have returned to indoor spaces, where cigarettes are freely lit. This situation has become a problem for non-smokers, who are "forced" to consume something in a smoky environment or to stay on the veranda of the premises, in the cold of winter or the heat of summer.
The story of a law that is not being implemented
The Law “On the Protection of Health from Tobacco Products” was first passed in 2006. The aim was to ban smoking in enclosed public spaces to protect the health of consumers. However, poor implementation led institutions to intervene again in 2014. At that time, Health Minister Ilir Beqaj announced tougher measures and increased fines for businesses that did not comply with the law.
The law came into force on August 23 of that year, and on September 1, a broad campaign of public information and awareness, as well as control and monitoring of the implementation of this law by businesses, began. Bars removed tobacco boards from tables and placed prohibition signs on the entrance windows prohibiting smoking inside the bars, and citizens became accustomed to the idea that indoor spaces should be smoke-free. Control was strong and the State Health Inspectorate (ISSH) fined violators. However, this effect lasted a short time. After a few years, violations began to return. The then Minister of Health, Ogerta Manastirliu, in 2019, warned of stricter measures and declared a “war” against violators of the new anti-smoking law. The new law "On the Protection of Health from Tobacco Products" provides for a series of new measures, such as banning the use of electronic cigarettes and hookahs in closed environments, applying the same rules to traditional cigarettes, and doubling fines for entities that repeat violations.
Under the new law, if a business is caught violating the law twice within two months, the fine will be double the first. If the violation is repeated within a year, the entity can be fined up to six times the initial fine and in repeated cases can also face closure of the activity and revocation of the license. However, 20 years after its adoption, the anti-smoking law in our country seems to exist more on paper.
Declining controls, increasing violations
Data shows that field control has weakened significantly. According to the State Health Inspectorate, in 2015, 22.125 inspections were carried out across the country. While during the period 2025-January 2026, only 5.239 inspections were carried out.
Fines have also dropped significantly: According to the State Health Inspectorate, 16 fines were imposed in 2025 on bars and restaurants in violation of the anti-smoking law and 71 fines in 2024. A very low number of inspections and fines compared to the spread of the phenomenon.
According to expert Roland Shuperka, one of the drafters of the anti-smoking law, the problems started in its initial formulation. He says that the definition of “enclosed space” was unclear and created room for abuse. “Today, many bars use glass structures or enclosed verandas, which in practice function as indoor spaces, but are often considered semi-open spaces to avoid the smoking ban,” Shuperka says.
According to him, the current situation where smoking is freely allowed indoors is unacceptable.
"Law enforcement agencies must take the situation into their own hands. All abusive entities must be brought to justice," he said.
Doctors warn of the dangers
While the anti-smoking law remains weak in implementation, doctors warn of the serious consequences that are emerging on the health of the population. According to the expert of the Institute of Public Health, Alban Ylli, Albania is facing a significant increase in cancer cases, where smoking plays a major role: “Particularly worrying is lung cancer, which is directly related to tobacco consumption and has a higher incidence in men,” said Ylli.
While pulmonologist Arben Tanka spoke about the increase in cancer cases at younger and younger ages: "The probability of developing lung cancer is about 25 times higher in smokers compared to those who do not smoke. Today we are seeing patients even at the age of 30 diagnosed with this disease, as a result of starting smoking at a young age," he says.
Tobacco contains about 7000 chemicals, 70 of which are known carcinogens. About 85% of lung cancer cases are directly related to smoking.
In Albania, about 40% of the population is a smoker, while data shows that in 2025, 7076 new cases of cancer were registered, making this disease the second cause of death after cardiovascular diseases. According to the World Health Organization, smoking-related tumors in Albania are expected to increase by about 60% by 2030.
Today, more than 20 years after its adoption, the anti-smoking law seems to face the same problem: Lack of enforcement. Few inspections and infrequent fines have failed to change the reality on the ground, where tobacco smoke continues to fill the indoor spaces of many establishments.
With an average of 1 fine for every 327 inspections, the effectiveness of the ISHSH remains questionable. Until the number of inspections translates into clean air for citizens, these figures will remain mere paper that protects no one except those who knowingly violate the law.acqj.al
