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HEALTH

End of the line for cigarette vending machines in Austria?

6,500 cigarette machines may have to be removed from Austrian streets because they don’t comply with EU regulations, as they don’t carry warning messages or graphic images concerning the health effects of tobacco.

Published: 13 January 2017 16:27 CET
End of the line for cigarette vending machines in Austria?
A cigarette vending machine. Photo: Mse7201/Wikimedia

EU law stipulates that cigarette and tobacco packaging must carry clear health warnings, including in some cases graphic images of lung cancer patients, to make people think twice before purchasing tobacco. However, this is currently not the case for cigarette vending machines.

In Germany, a judge recently ruled that the lack of warning on the machines is unlawful. The authorities in the individual federal states will now have to decide what will happen to the machines.

In Austria, the Ministry of Health is now consulting with the Ministry of Finance. Franz Pietsch, who works for the Ministry of Health and is responsible for the protection of non-smokers, told the ORF that the machines could be removed. It’s not clear if pasting warnings and graphic images onto the machines would be enough to satisfy EU law.

Josef Prirschl, who represents the interests of tobacconists, warned that they could face serious economic consequences. “For some tobacconists, sales from vending machines account for up to 30 percent of their sales, depending on their location,” he told Ö1 radio. 

Cigarette vending machines are banned on the streets in Hungary, Great Britain, France and Ireland. The World Health Organization (WHO) has long been calling for a global ban on the machines, as they make it easier for minors to buy cigarettes.

Austrians can legally smoke from the age of 16, and cigarette machines must attempt to verify a customer's age by requiring the insertion of a debit card or mobile phone verification.

However, a survey by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found that 27 percent of Austrian 15-year-olds smoke at least once a week, more frequently than any other children in the OECD area.

Austria is also one of the countries in western Europe where cigarettes are cheapest. The country has a deeply entrenched smoking culture, and a general ban on smoking in cafes and restaurants doesn’t come into force until May 2018.

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HEALTH

Will my Austrian health insurance pay for medical expenses abroad?

If you plan on travelling, you might wonder if you can use your Austrian e-card or public health insurance abroad. Here's what you need to know.

Published: 14 May 2024 15:47 CEST
Will my Austrian health insurance pay for medical expenses abroad?

With the summer holidays approaching, many people might wonder if their statutory health insurance in Austria will cover them in case of illness or accident. The answer depends on your destination, the purpose of your trip, and the type of healthcare you need.

Inside Europe

If you travel within the European Union, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein Norway or Switzerland, your Austrian health insurance will provides coverage for certain type of “medically necessary” healthcare through the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). 

The EHIC grants access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare under the same conditions as residents of that country. This applies to sudden illness, accidents, pre-existing conditions requiring urgent treatment, and even maternity care.

READ ALSO: Everything foreigners need to know about the Austrian healthcare system

As well as the countries mentioned above the EHIC is valid in Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the UK.

However, the EHIC is not an alternative to comprehensive travel insurance as it doesn’t cover private healthcare costs, a flight home, or lost/stolen property. While the coverage is limited to state-provided healthcare, it does mean a doctor will treat you, and you are not liable to pay non-resident medical fees.

In Austria, every e-card (the health insurance card used to visit a doctor) already contains an EHIC on the reverse, so there is no need to apply for it separately. 

However, if the data fields on the EHIC on the back of your e-card contain stars (***) instead of personal information such as name and date of birth, further documentation is required to access healthcare in another EU country. In this case, you need to contact your social security provider in Austria to receive a replacement card before you travel.

READ MORE: How do I get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in Austria?

Austria’s insurer website ÖGK will also cover costs for any medically necessary treatments in Turkey in the event of illness, but you will need a so-called “sickness certificate (certificate of entitlement to benefits in kind for temporary stays)”. This can be issued by your employer or the ÖGK HERE and must be done before any treatment.

Third countries

Your EHIC won’t be valid in destinations outside the EU/EEA. Austrian health insurance will offer some reimbursement for emergency medical expenses and other medical consultations, but the extent of coverage varies depending on your specific provider’s policy.

In principle, you must pay the medical and treatment costs yourself in other continents, according to Austria’s insurer website ÖGK. You can submit the paid invoices for reimbursement, but not all treatment will be paid back, and you won’t receive the total amount you paid either. 

ÖGK will reimburse certain costs, including consultations with private doctors abroad, but you must have certain documents, such as a detailed fee note and proof of payment. You can apply for reimbursement HERE.

ÖGK recommends taking out travel insurance for trips abroad and ensuring that repatriation is included – as the insurer does not cover repatriation costs.

READ ALSO: Why getting rescued in the Austrian Alps could cost you thousands

It’s also worth noting that ÖGK does not cover all accidents, even in Austria. If you plan on doing certain types of sports, like skiing, even in the Austrian Alps or in neighbouring countries within the EU, it’s essential to take out a specific sports insurance that covers all possible costs, including mountain rescue. 

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