Kyrgyzstan strengthens its anti-smoking policy

The Kyrgyz government is embarking on a major strengthening of its tobacco control policy by announcing a significant tax increase on tobacco products, with the aim of reducing their accessibility, particularly among young people. As part of this public health strategy, the authorities also plan to soon ban the sale of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco, in a regional context marked by increased vigilance regarding new nicotine products.

Disincentive taxation to reduce consumption

Kyrgyzstan's Health Minister, Erkin Checheybayev, recently presented a proposal to increase taxes on tobacco products as part of a comprehensive strategy to improve public health, particularly among young people. Held in Bishkek on June 10 at an inter-ministerial meeting in collaboration with the WHO and the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control's specialized resource platform on taxation, this initiative seeks to reduce the affordability of tobacco and thus encourage smokers to quit while deterring young people from starting.[1].

Tobacco remains a major cause of non-communicable diseases (cardiovascular, stroke, cancer, respiratory diseases), responsible for more than 80% of premature deaths in Kyrgyzstan. More than 22% of adults smoke in Kyrgyzstan, including one in two men. Among those aged 35-69, up to 30% of men and 5% of women die from smoking-related diseases. Economically, tobacco is a heavy burden: tobacco-related heart disease alone costs the state 17 billion soms (approximately €170 million) each year.

Currently, tobacco taxes represent less than 50 % of the retail price, well below the 75 % recommended by the WHO. The ministry relies on the TETSiM model, presented by WHO experts, which demonstrates that a 10 % increase in the real price of cigarettes can reduce smoking prevalence among young people by approximately 8 %.

The Ministries of Health and Finance, along with international partners, agree on the importance of a gradual but ambitious tobacco tax reform. The objective is twofold: to reduce consumption to protect citizens' health and increase public revenues, while positioning Kyrgyzstan as a regional leader in tobacco control.

Towards a ban on new nicotine products

Alongside the tax initiative, Kyrgyzstan is preparing to ban, as of 1^er July 2025, the sale of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco, joining a growing number of other countries in the region[2]. Already in 2024, the authorities had announced their intention to restrict access to these products, often promoted as "less harmful" alternatives but whose health effects are increasingly questioned. This ban is also part of a regional dynamic shared with Uzbekistan.[3], which is considering similar measures. By combining higher taxes with restrictions on new tobacco products, Kyrgyzstan is demonstrating its commitment to protecting public health and preventing young people from initiating nicotine products, in accordance with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which the country has ratified.

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[1] Sergey Kwan, Kyrgyz Health Minister Proposes Raising Tobacco Taxes to Curb Smoking, The Times of Central Asia, published June 11, 2025, accessed June 12, 2025

[2] Tobacco-free generation, Kyrgyzstan: Ban on electronic cigarettes by 2025, published November 28, 2024, accessed June 12, 2025

[3] Tobacco-free generation, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan to ban heated tobacco and vaping products, published April 17, 2024, accessed June 12, 2025