Lithuania remains an EU leader in terms of the market share of contraband cigarettes, according to KPMG’s market research, DELFI reports. The study found that altogether 2.63 billion cigarettes were consumed in Lithuania in 2022, which was 0.2 billion less than in 2021. Contraband cigarettes accounted for 0.59 billion of the total, which was 19.2%…
Local governments and educational institutions in Latvia are concerned about the financial benefits of the government’s planned school network reform, Diena reports. Several questions remain unresolved, including the quantitative criteria to decide on keeping or reorganising schools. The Ministry of Education and Science estimates that 120 schools are likely to be affected by the changes,…
A new procedure has come into force in Lithuania in cases of domestic violence as of July 2023, LNK reports. If domestic violence is reported, police can order the suspect to leave the house immediately for 15 days. There are an average of 55,000 reports of domestic violence a year, and 86% of the victims…
All new beverages sold in Latvia will have to be marked with a Latvian deposit mark as of 1 July 2023, DELFI reports. Beverage producers and retailers had a transition period from 1 January to 30 June 2023 to allow them to adjust to the new rules. Miks Sturitis, board chairman of the deposit system…
Latvia’s National Centre for Education (VISC) has proposed a draft regulation that would cut the number of hours of physical and health education in secondary school by 128 hours in the academic year 2024/2025, DELFI reports. Under the plan, sports and health courses would take 187 hours instead of 315 hours at present. In place,…
Only half of the volunteers who applied for military service in Latvia’s first draft will begin serving in the Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS) on 1 July 2023, LETA reports. Altogether 254 Latvian citizens will join the draft, a Defence Ministry spokesperson announced. A total of 488 citizens expressed their desire to volunteer for military…