Rumour about cigarettes for schoolchildren in Hrodna: check did not confirm that children sought medical help

Information that a schoolchild in Hrodna fell ill after smoking cigarettes has not been confirmed. Hospitals did not record any visits for nicotine poisoning, private Belarusian outlets operating in the country report.

The reports in question spread in Telegram channels and on websites. They said a schoolchild felt unwell after smoking cigarettes and that the mother was demanding an inspection of the Hrodna factory Neman. They cited a petition on the change.org platform.

According to Belarusian state media, publications by channels that have been designated extremist in the country claimed that schoolchildren received cigarettes almost directly from the factory, then complained of feeling unwell and turned to medics. This version rests only on materials from such channels.

Doctor Aliaksandr Kozich said that from 1 September to date, no children with signs of nicotine poisoning have come to the Hrodna Regional Clinical Children's Hospital. Private Belarusian outlets report the same: nobody came to Hrodna hospitals with nicotine poisoning. Siarhei Mazailo said: "Nobody came anywhere at all."

Anna Adamonis stated that throughout the year the school administration and teachers received no complaints from parents or pupils about feeling unwell because of smoking cigarettes.

The director of School No. 6, to whom the petition is addressed, has not worked there for two years, private Belarusian outlets report. Mazailo speaks of an "appeal to a supposed school director who stopped working there two years ago." He also claims that the photo of a child in the publication shows a child from Russia.

Hienadz Kozlouski stated that all kiosks selling the factory's products are equipped with video surveillance "to rule out disputed situations and to monitor the sale of all products." According to him, the territory of the Hrodna tobacco factory is guarded by the Protection Department service, so taking products out for resale or small-scale retail to minors is impossible.

Adamonis said that pupils are on duty at the school entrance, so children cannot leave the school during the school day.

Adamonis stated that the only thing in the post that was confirmed is the existence of the petition, posted on a portal that Belarus has designated extremist. Thus, the claim that a schoolchild felt unwell and that cigarettes were supplied from the factory is unconfirmed: officials and the hospital say the opposite regarding any request for medical help. All these denials come from Hrodna officials, the school and the factory itself, that is, from the parties against whom the claims are directed. Nothing is yet known about an inspection of the factory following the petition's demand.