Decline in Smoking Ban Compliance Revealed by 2026 Survey of 1,000 Restaurants Across 11 Ukrainian Cities

Press Conference Held at Ukrinform Agency

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: A press briefing took place at the Ukrinform agency to present the findings from a comprehensive survey of 1,000 dining establishments across 11 Ukrainian cities. Conducted as part of the nationwide campaign "Youth Free from Smoking," the monitoring spanned from May to July 2026 and evaluated adherence to Ukraine’s Law No. 2899-IV, which prohibits smoking in public venues. The study assessed compliance with the smoking ban, the presence of tobacco product advertising, and informational signage within these establishments.

Key Findings from the Survey

The results indicate that in 2026, 71% of restaurants fully comply with the indoor smoking ban, marking a decline from 82% compliance recorded in 2024. The highest adherence rates were observed in the cities of:

• Rivne (78%)
• Zhytomyr (76%)
• Ivano-Frankivsk (76%)
• Odesa (76%)

Conversely, the lowest compliance was found in Dnipro (55%) and Zaporizhzhia (64%). Among violations, heated tobacco products accounted for 59% of smoking incidents, followed closely by hookahs at 57%, e-cigarettes at 53%, and traditional cigarettes at 30%. Notably, 63% of venues permitted smoking of two to four different types of tobacco products.

The survey also uncovered that 78% of establishments displayed no advertising for hookahs, e-cigarettes, tobacco products, or related devices, a decrease from 84% in 2024. The most common forms of tobacco promotion included:

• Instagram posts featuring hookah smoking (64%)
• Hookahs listed on menus (46%)
• Hookah bases prominently displayed in venues (45%)

Only 7% of restaurants displayed legally compliant information about the smoking ban, while 19% had signs not meeting legal standards. A significant 74% lacked any visible information regarding the smoking prohibition.

Olga Alimenko, a participant in the press event, highlighted: "The survey clearly shows that most violations of smoking laws in public places stem not from traditional cigarettes, but from the use of heated tobacco products, hookahs, and e-cigarettes."

She emphasized that while the law effectively protects consumers from tobacco smoke and aerosols, enforcement and compliance remain challenging. Alimenko stressed the importance of safeguarding youth, noting that over 19% of Ukrainian teenagers aged 13 to 15 use e-cigarettes.

Lada Bulakh underscored the significance of draft bill No. 14110-d, which seeks to classify snus alongside other tobacco products and prohibit their advertising and sale to minors under 18. She encouraged citizens to defend their right to smoke-free environments by reporting any violations to venue management. Natalia Pipa, representing the education committee, added that despite ongoing conflict, nicotine and snus addiction continue to adversely affect the nation’s health.

According to the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection, 179 complaints about breaches of anti-tobacco laws were filed over the first nine months of 2026, leading to 114 unscheduled inspections. Violations were confirmed in 79 businesses. Tobacco advertising infractions surged to 382 cases in 2026, compared to 148 during the same period in 2025. Correspondingly, fines increased to 1,456,000 UAH in 2026 from 530,000 UAH the previous year.

The conference also discussed proposed legislative updates, including amendments to Cabinet Resolution No. 303, adoption of Bill No. 12091 concerning financial penalties and banning tobacco product displays, and enactment of Bill No. 14110-d regulating nicotine snus products. This 2026 survey represents the third such monitoring effort, following initial checks in 2022 covering 320 establishments in five cities, and a second survey in late 2024 assessing 500 venues across seven cities.

Overall, the findings reveal a worrying drop in compliance with smoking bans in public dining places, underscoring the need for stronger enforcement measures. The rise in tobacco advertising violations further highlights the urgency of enhancing public health protections, especially for young people. The suggested legislative reforms may prove crucial in advancing the fight against tobacco use and its negative societal impacts.

As the compliance with smoking bans in restaurants declines, the need for stricter regulations on nicotine products becomes increasingly evident. This situation aligns with recent discussions in the Ukrainian Parliament, where a committee has called for enhanced controls to protect children from flavored tobacco items. To explore the committee's recommendations and their potential impact on public health, read more about the proposed measures aimed at safeguarding youth.