Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan to ban heated tobacco and vaping products

Uzbekistan’s health ministry has proposed banning the sale of all vaping products and their liquids, as well as heated tobacco systems. The Kyrgyz parliament’s social affairs committee has unanimously approved a bill banning the sale and consumption of e-cigarettes and e-liquids in the country.[1].

The Uzbek bill mentions that in recent years, new tobacco and nicotine products have appeared in Uzbekistan. As a result, the number of smokers has increased dramatically, especially among children and young adults. Among 18-29 year-olds, the consumption of heated tobacco is more than 2.5 times higher than among 30-69 year-olds in Uzbekistan. Sales of e-cigarettes for the period 2021-2023 increased 80 times compared to the previous three years.

Tightening of measures against new tobacco and nicotine products in Central Asia

In an effort to curb the growing popularity of vaping products among younger people, several Central Asian republics are considering banning the devices altogether. Faced with declining consumption of traditional cigarettes in their countries, particularly among young people, the republics see these new tobacco and nicotine products as obstacles to achieving a tobacco-free generation in the coming years. In Kyrgyzstan, the parliament has proposed banning the import, sale, and use of e-cigarettes. The proposed legislation in Kyrgyzstan would impose a fine of 40,000 soms (approximately 448 $) for consuming these products, and fines ranging from 50,000 to 60,000 soms (560 to 672 $) for selling them.[2].

In Uzbekistan, the new law will ban the sale of all vaping products, e-liquids and associated refills, as well as all heated tobacco devices and refills for these products. The Ministry of Health is proposing penalties ranging from $1,000 to five years in prison for violations.

In Kazakhstan, according to a 2022 study by the World Health Organization (WHO), 9.8% of adolescents aged 11 to 15 in Kazakhstan were regular users of e-cigarettes.[3]The Kazakh Ministry of Health had then pointed out the repeated violations by retailers of the regulations prohibiting the advertising of these products at points of sale. These marketing operations make e-cigarettes very visible and accessible by placing them near the checkout next to sweets, at very attractive prices.

Earlier this year, as part of a comprehensive health legislation, deputies of the Mazhilis - the lower house of the Kazakh parliament - approved provisions aimed at reducing nicotine consumption. These completely ban the sale of vaping devices. The ban is expected to come into force sometime in 2024.

Keywords: Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Central Asia, vaping, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, tobacco-free generation, youth

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