Crackdown on Illegal Tobacco Products in Kazakhstan's Capital

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Mar.28.2024
Crackdown on Illegal Tobacco Products in Kazakhstan's Capital
Kazakhstan capital launches crackdown on illegal e-cigarette and chewing tobacco sales, with hundreds of shops inspected and fines imposed.

According to Zakon.kz, as of March 18th, all areas of the capital of Kazakhstan are undergoing surprise inspections for illegal sales and use of e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco.

 

According to data from the official website of the Mayor's Office of Astana, approximately 700 shops have been inspected in five areas of the capital since the raid began. Working together, police officers and district mayor's offices have uncovered 145 cases involving the sale of non-smoking tobacco products, including underground factories producing chewing tobacco.

 

According to local police sources, stores selling illegal non-cigarette tobacco products and e-cigarette retailers will face administrative penalties and fines of around 92,300 Guen. Daily raids are being conducted at shops in the capital and will continue until March 31st.

 

So far, the Nura region has imposed fines on six stores, totaling 25 economic baseline points. In the Saryarkin region, two store owners have also received the same punishment. This crackdown on black market tobacco sales has also resulted in the seizure of approximately 60 kilograms of chewing tobacco in the Saryarkin region.

 

President Kasym-Jomart Tokayev brought up the issue of banning the import and sale of e-cigarettes in Kazakhstan during the third session of the National Assembly on March 15th.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Science | International Experts Propose a New Smoking Cessation Pathway, Citing Higher Quit Rates With E-Cigarettes Than Nicotine Replacement Therapy
Science | International Experts Propose a New Smoking Cessation Pathway, Citing Higher Quit Rates With E-Cigarettes Than Nicotine Replacement Therapy
A new expert paper in JAMA urges U.S. clinicians to include nicotine e-cigarettes in smoking-cessation discussions, citing higher quit rates than nicotine replacement therapy. It also stresses that products must deliver enough nicotine to replace cigarettes, dual use should be brief, and complete switching is the goal. 2Firsts argues the recommendations matter beyond clinics: public-health professionals should reassess relative risk, regulators should preserve sufficient product appeal for adult smokers, and manufacturers should focus on helping users quit cigarettes more sustainably.
SCIENCE
Aug.03 by 2Firsts Perspectives
ATF Cancels Webloc Contract, Raising Questions Over Commercial Location Data in Enforcement
ATF Cancels Webloc Contract, Raising Questions Over Commercial Location Data in Enforcement
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has stopped using Webloc, a commercial phone-tracking tool, after lawmakers, a prosecutor and a judge raised legal and privacy concerns over warrantless use of ad-tech location data, a development that may affect data-use boundaries in U.S. enforcement against illicit tobacco, nicotine products and cross-border distribution networks.
Jun.29
Japan Health Ministry Cites Limited Evidence in Decision Not to Tighten Heated Tobacco Rules
Japan Health Ministry Cites Limited Evidence in Decision Not to Tighten Heated Tobacco Rules
Japan’s health ministry has proposed not tightening regulations on heated tobacco products to the same level as cigarettes as part of a review of passive smoking measures, with an expert panel broadly agreeing with the proposal, Jiji Press reported.
Jul.10
Product | OLIVEBAR Launches RAZ PRO 85K, Combining Up to 85,000 Puffs With a Transparent Pod Design
Product | OLIVEBAR Launches RAZ PRO 85K, Combining Up to 85,000 Puffs With a Transparent Pod Design
OLIVEBAR has introduced the RAZ PRO 85K disposable vape, featuring up to 85,000 puffs, a transparent e-liquid pod, and a Mega HD display. As competition in the ultra-high-puff disposable segment continues to intensify, the new device reflects an industry shift from simply increasing puff counts toward enhancing visual interaction and user experience.
Jul.03
Product | IVG Pro 15K Enters European Retail Channels, Expanding High-Capacity Pod System Segment
Product | IVG Pro 15K Enters European Retail Channels, Expanding High-Capacity Pod System Segment
UK vape brand IVG has introduced the IVG Pro 15K, a high-capacity pod system combining a 2ml prefilled pod with a 10ml refill container to deliver up to 15,000 puffs. Unlike conventional high-puff disposable vapes, the IVG Pro 15K adopts a reusable device structure, reflecting a broader shift in the European vape market toward longer-use-cycle products and reusable hardware ecosystems.
Jul.14
BAT’s Velo Study Finds 61% of Nicotine Users Feel More Comfortable Expressing Themselves When Others Do the Same
BAT’s Velo Study Finds 61% of Nicotine Users Feel More Comfortable Expressing Themselves When Others Do the Same
British American Tobacco’s (BAT) nicotine pouch brand Velo has released a global consumer study and launched its “Echoes of Tomorrowland” campaign with electronic music festival brand Tomorrowland. The research surveyed 2,009 nicotine users across the UK, Spain, Pakistan, Poland and Austria. Velo said 61% of respondents feel more comfortable expressing themselves when they see others doing the same, while 39% said building meaningful connections becomes harder with age. The campaign reflects how nicotine pouch brands are increasingly using music, communities and lifestyle marketing to build consumer engagement.
Aug.10