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

Haypp Voluntarily Sets a 20 mg Nicotine-Strength Cap for Nicotine Pouches and Urges the UK to Establish a Regulatory Limit
Haypp Voluntarily Sets a 20 mg Nicotine-Strength Cap for Nicotine Pouches and Urges the UK to Establish a Regulatory Limit
Online nicotine pouch retailer Haypp said it has voluntarily adopted a 20 mg per pouch nicotine-strength cap across its e-commerce platforms and is urging the UK government to formalize that cap as the limit as it develops a regulatory framework. Haypp said proportionate limits would protect consumers while preserving nicotine pouches as a viable reduced-risk alternative to cigarettes.
Feb.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City police seize 28,657 illegal vape-related products worth over US$182,400
Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City police seize 28,657 illegal vape-related products worth over US$182,400
Police in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam say they dismantled a large illegal vape distribution ring led by 29-year-old Nguyễn Ngọc Quốc Uy, who allegedly built a concealed “secret room” to hide contraband. Officers seized 28,657 items valued at more than VND 4.8 billion (about US$182,400).
Feb.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Study: Links between internalizing mental health symptoms and nicotine/tobacco use vary by gender identity among U.S. adolescents
Study: Links between internalizing mental health symptoms and nicotine/tobacco use vary by gender identity among U.S. adolescents
A study using 2020–2023 U.S. data from the ITC Youth Tobacco and Vaping Survey (ages 16–19) reports that both nicotine/tobacco use and internalizing mental health (IMH) symptoms vary across disaggregated gender identities, and that gender identity moderates the relationship between IMH symptoms and product use.
Feb.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai
PMI’s Portuguese unit to launch nicotine pouches in 2026 after tax clarification
PMI’s Portuguese unit to launch nicotine pouches in 2026 after tax clarification
After Portugal included nicotine pouches in the excise-tax (IEC) framework for tobacco and nicotine products, PMI’s Portuguese subsidiary Tabaqueira confirmed it will begin selling nicotine pouches in the country this year. The company is preparing a soft launch in two stores ahead of wider distribution, as the tax and regulatory position becomes clearer.
Mar.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Malaysian police raids across five states: 51 held and over RM1 million in vapes seized
Malaysian police raids across five states: 51 held and over RM1 million in vapes seized
Police in Malaysia detained 51 individuals and seized over RM1 million worth of electronic cigarettes and liquid refills in a five-state operation dubbed “Op E-CIG,” conducted by the GOF Central Brigade on February 10. The report said the operation involved 30 raids across Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Melaka, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan. Authorities seized 2,263 vape units and 165.463 litres of liquid.
Feb.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Oregon Senate Passes Bill to Regulate Nicotine Pouches as Tobacco Products
Oregon Senate Passes Bill to Regulate Nicotine Pouches as Tobacco Products
The Oregon Senate voted 26–1 to pass Senate Bill 1571, a measure redefining tobacco products to include nicotine pouches and restricting their sale to individuals under 21.
Regulations
Feb.23