More than 100 cases have been registered since the implementation of the ban on e-cigarettes in Kazakhstan

Apr.17.2025
More than 100 cases have been registered since the implementation of the ban on e-cigarettes in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan's e-cigarette ban in effect, with over 100 cases filed for illegal sales. Multi-department crackdown planned.

Key points:

The ban on e-cigarettes has taken effect: The ban on e-cigarettes in Kazakhstan has been implemented, with over 100 cases already registered.

Illegal sales continue: The market and Telegram still have sales activities, enforcement continues to advance.

Multiple departments collaborate to crack down: Criminal Investigation, Network Security and other departments participate in investigation and enforcement.

A meeting is scheduled to be held: The Ministry of the Interior plans to discuss strengthening oversight with Parliament.


According to BaigeNews.kz's report on April 17th, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan, Sanzhar Adilov, stated that legislation banning the sale of e-cigarettes has come into effect. As of now, over 100 cases have been filed for prosecution.

 

Adilov pointed out that the illegal sale of e-cigarettes continues to exist in the market and on Telegram channels. The Ministry of Internal Affairs is actively collaborating with these platforms to crack down on these illegal activities. This initiative is not limited to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and involves other relevant departments as well. He called on the public to actively report such incidents and emphasized that each case will be thoroughly investigated.

 

The deputy minister also mentioned that despite the ban on e-cigarette sales, there are still some criminals selling them through illegal channels. Adilov stated that relevant departments have increased efforts, including preventive services, criminal police departments, and cybercrime investigation departments all participating to crack down on this illegal activity.

 

In order to address the circulation of e-cigarettes, the Ministry of Interior plans to collaborate with parliamentary representatives and will soon hold a working meeting to advance this work.

 

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

GAO Audit Finds Nearly 132,000 FDA Tobacco Applications Waiting an Average 1,266 Days as Nicotine Pouch Pilot Practices Move Into Vape PMTA Reviews
GAO Audit Finds Nearly 132,000 FDA Tobacco Applications Waiting an Average 1,266 Days as Nicotine Pouch Pilot Practices Move Into Vape PMTA Reviews
A U.S. Government Accountability Office audit found that 131,915 tobacco product applications submitted to the FDA since 2018 remained without a final review as of December 31, 2025, with pending applications waiting an average of 1,266 days. GAO also found FDA lacks the data needed to systematically determine whether scientific reviews meet applicable timelines. HHS agreed to upgrade the agency's tracking systems. At the same time, FDA has begun applying lessons from its nicotine pouch PMTA pilot to e-cigarette reviews, while changes to enforcement policy and electronic submissions are making the specific stage of a PMTA increasingly relevant to market access.
FDA
Oct.03
Ukraine Raises Excise Stamp Fees for Tobacco, Heated Tobacco and Vape Liquids by 30.5% as Parliament Backs E-Excise Delay to 2027
Ukraine Raises Excise Stamp Fees for Tobacco, Heated Tobacco and Vape Liquids by 30.5% as Parliament Backs E-Excise Delay to 2027
Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers adopted Resolution No. 1259 on October 15, 2026, increasing excise stamp production fees for tobacco products and e-cigarette liquids by approximately 30.5%, from UAH 0.1643 to UAH 0.2144 per stamp. Fees for alcoholic beverages rose by about 30.2%. Separately, Ukraine's parliament passed Bill No. 15532 on October 13, proposing to postpone the full implementation of electronic excise stamps and traceability for alcohol, tobacco and e-cigarette liquids from November 1, 2026, to July 1, 2027. Parliament cited additional testing, configuration and integration requirements. The bill was sent to the president for signature on October 19.
Regulations
Oct.21
Special Report | Russia Places Four JTI Businesses Under Temporary Management, a First for Tobacco Majors
Special Report | Russia Places Four JTI Businesses Under Temporary Management, a First for Tobacco Majors
Russia has placed shares in four Japan Tobacco International businesses under temporary management, the first such move involving a major global tobacco manufacturer, according to Interfax. JTI held 35.8% of Russia's tobacco market by volume in the first nine months of 2026. While British American Tobacco and Imperial Brands have exited Russia, Philip Morris International continues operating there. As the market changes and diplomatic efforts continue, could international tobacco companies that left Russia eventually return?
Nov.06
2Firsts Interview | Cigarette Sales Fall as Smokeless Alternatives Gain in U.S. Convenience Stores, NACS Says
2Firsts Interview | Cigarette Sales Fall as Smokeless Alternatives Gain in U.S. Convenience Stores, NACS Says
Ahead of the 2026 NACS Show, 2Firsts interviewed Chris Rapanick, NACS managing director of research, on changes reshaping the U.S. convenience-store tobacco and nicotine market. NACS data show cigarette sales declining while smokeless alternatives, including nicotine pouches, continue to grow. The interview also examines higher OTP margins, shifting backbar space, weaker store traffic, regulatory uncertainty and NACS’ outlook for 2027, offering a retailer-side view of one of the world’s largest nicotine markets.
Interview
Oct.03
Pennsylvania Vape Directory Enforcement Starts Oct. 19, Barring Retail Sales of Unlisted Products
Pennsylvania Vape Directory Enforcement Starts Oct. 19, Barring Retail Sales of Unlisted Products
Pennsylvania's Act 57 vape directory regime will reach the end of its 120-day inventory transition period on Oct. 19. Nicotine-containing e-cigarettes intended for retail sale in the state that are not listed on the Attorney General's ENDS directory will then be barred from retail sale and treated as contraband subject to seizure, forfeiture and destruction. Manufacturers face annual product certification, brand- and style-based fees and a minimum $50,000 surety bond, while retailers and wholesalers must source through licensed channels and monitor the directory.
Regulations
Oct.08
EU Commission Clarifies Vaping, Smokeless Nicotine Use in Proposed Cardiovascular Checks
EU Commission Clarifies Vaping, Smokeless Nicotine Use in Proposed Cardiovascular Checks
The European Commission has clarified to 2Firsts that its proposed cardiovascular health checks would assess smoking, vaping and the use of smokeless nicotine products as part of patients’ medical histories. The Commission also said Member States may organise additional checks within their healthcare systems. In the same response, it pointed to JRC research on e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches that has fed into the evaluation of EU tobacco legislation.
Nov.09