Government Crackdown on Violating Smoking and E-cigarette Bans in Kazakhstan

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Jun.28.2024
Government Crackdown on Violating Smoking and E-cigarette Bans in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan Senate President calls for surprise inspections on venues violating hookah and e-cigarette bans, citing law enforcement concerns.

According to KZ.Kursiv, on June 27, the Chairman of the Senate of Kazakhstan, Maulen Ashimbayev, requested the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the government, and local governments to conduct surprise inspections on entertainment venues that violate the ban on water pipes and e-cigarettes.


He stated in parliament that many customers of cafes, bars, and restaurants are flagrantly violating these bans without any restraint, and this behavior is "undermining the rule of law".


Ashimbaev pointed out during the plenary session of the Senate that...


As is well known, in many places, customers can freely smoke hookah. E-cigarettes are also prohibited by law, but in reality they are easily available and many people are using and selling these products. Therefore, whether the government is effectively enforcing the relevant laws is a major issue.


He also mentioned that the Department of Health proposed banning the sale of energy drinks to young people under 21, but he is concerned that this ban could also face similar enforcement challenges.


Akhimbayev emphasized that the failure to enforce the law is "undermining" the structure of the rule of law, therefore he called for surprise inspections of places violating current bans.


Government representatives are present... please conduct inspections with local enforcement agencies. Senior officials from the Ministry of Interior are also here. Inspections are being carried out in cafes and restaurants in Astana during evening hours. There is also a lot of evidence and photos on social media, so there is no need to personally visit to see these issues.


In mid-March, Gulnar Sarsenbaeva, a representative of the Kazakhstan Ministry of Health, pointed out that many restaurant and bar owners have been widely ignoring the current smoking ban. As a result, the country plans to increase penalties for smoking hookah in restaurants and bars. The Ministry of Health not only intends to raise fines for consumers but also introduce new penalties for establishments in violation of the ban.


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

UK's £10M Crackdown on Illegal E-Cigarettes Questioned; Industry Calls for Systemic Reform
UK's £10M Crackdown on Illegal E-Cigarettes Questioned; Industry Calls for Systemic Reform
The UK government has announced a £10 million fund to combat the sale of illegal tobacco and e-cigarettes. However, eCig Click, an independent e-cigarette platform, has questioned the long-term effectiveness and cost-benefit ratio of this policy. It argues that enforcement alone cannot address the root causes of the black market and has called for systemic regulatory reform and industry collaboration.
May.08 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Brazilian Health Minister Reaffirms Opposition to E-Cigarette Legalization, Supports Total Sales Ban
Brazilian Health Minister Reaffirms Opposition to E-Cigarette Legalization, Supports Total Sales Ban
On World No Tobacco Day 2025, Brazil’s Health Minister Alexandre Padilha reiterated his support for a total e-cigarette ban, backing the national policy that prohibits their sale, import, and advertising under RDC 855/2024.
May.29 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Cigarettes Are Changing—Not Dying: What NGPs Are Teaching Traditional Tobacco——The June 6 2Firsts event will spotlight how cigarettes and NGPs are beginning to converge
Cigarettes Are Changing—Not Dying: What NGPs Are Teaching Traditional Tobacco——The June 6 2Firsts event will spotlight how cigarettes and NGPs are beginning to converge
On June 6, global tobacco media and consultancy 2Firsts will host the Global Novel Tobacco Market Trends Forum, featuring a dedicated session on the structural convergence between cigarettes and NGPs. For the first time, the conversation will focus not on binary opposition, but on how new technologies, consumer preferences, and regulatory forces are forging a hybrid innovation landscape—where the boundary between “old” and “new” is no longer clear.
May.29
Japan Tobacco to Discontinue Ploom X Advanced; Next-Generation Device Set for May 27 Launch
Japan Tobacco to Discontinue Ploom X Advanced; Next-Generation Device Set for May 27 Launch
Japan Tobacco (JT) has announced it will discontinue sales of its heated tobacco device “Ploom X Advanced” starting mid-May 2025. The company also revealed plans to launch the next-generation model in the series on May 27.
May.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Czech Health Ministry Issues Draft E-Cigarette Regulation Banning Use of Sweeteners in Products
Czech Health Ministry Issues Draft E-Cigarette Regulation Banning Use of Sweeteners in Products
The Czech Health Ministry has proposed a draft rule to ban e-cigarettes with sweeteners, cartoon or animal imagery, cannabis extracts, and other psychoactive substances to curb youth appeal. It also calls for standardized nicotine labels, more banned ingredients, and stronger health warnings.
Jun.09 by 2FIRSTS.ai
U.S. Health Secretary Criticizes Slow FDA Action, Vows to Crack Down on Illegal Vapes
U.S. Health Secretary Criticizes Slow FDA Action, Vows to Crack Down on Illegal Vapes
U.S. Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. on Wednesday criticized the FDA for slow approval of U.S.-made e-cigarettes, saying the delay has allowed Chinese products to dominate the market and target American youth. He told lawmakers he would move to remove illegal Chinese vapes.
May.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai