Addressing a conference organised by Tobacco Hungary earlier in the day, Lázár said he will propose banning anyone born in Hungary after January 1, 2020 from buying tobacco products. He said that if necessary, parliament would amend the constitution in order for the bill to pass.

The aim of the ban is to turn Hungary into the world’s first non-smoking country, he said. Lázár added that he will also propose making it illegal to smoke while driving the same way that using a mobile phone is.

The commissioner said his proposal also included giving condominium communities greater freedom to restrict smoking in certain areas of the apartment complex. Lázár has yet to officially submit the proposal to the cabinet, the Government Information Centre said.