Belarusians Struggle Against ‘Tabakerka’ Kiosks

The struggle is going on in both Minsk and the regions.

The “Tabakerka” kiosks have flooded both Minsk and the entire country - and there are already ads available on the Internet about hiring cashiers (the launch is probably nearing). Kyky.org closely monitors how Belarusians resist the emergence of tobacco kiosks, and decided to make a selection of three fresh online petitions for your attention.

All of them are designed to eliminate the kiosks, that the Energy-Oil company, controlled by businessman Alexey Oleksin, so eagerly erects. You can also participate in this “protest” campaign. Unfortunately, no one can guarantee its success, but at least we know of cases when people achieved their goals with the help of petitions.

Petition One: Global

In the first petition, they demand the immediate cessation of the construction of “Tabakerka” kiosks throughout the country. The authors refer to the plans of Energy-Oil, which says that by the end of 2019, at least 2.5 thousand tobacco kiosks will appear in Belarus. Of these, 500 of them will be in Minsk.

How to help. You can sign the petition here (the number of signatures at the time of publication of this note is 289). In 16 days, the petition will be sent to the Ministry of Health.

The second petition: local (but no less important!)

In the second petition, they demand to demolish the “Tabakerka” kiosk in Kakhouskaya Street. The authors believe it poses a danger to people on bicycles, electric scooters and wheelchairs; if a line is gathered near the kiosk, then a crowd of people will block the entire sidewalk. In addition, this kiosk creates a blind spot for drivers and pedestrians.

How to help. You can sign the petition here (the number of signatures at the time of publication of this note is 154). In three days, the petition will be sent to the administration of the Central district of Minsk.

Third petition: local again

In the third petition, they demand to demolish the “Tabakerka” kiosk in Kuzma Chorny Street. The arguments of the authors are approximately the same as in the petition number two: danger to people on bicycles, electric scooters and wheelchairs; blind spot for drivers, potential blocking of the sidewalk with a crowd of people.

How to help. You can sign the petition here (the number of signatures at the time of publication of this note is 349). In three days, the petition will be sent to the administration of the Pershamaiski district of Minsk.