According to a report by Total.kz on July 5th, Kazakhstani police have discovered illegal sales of e-cigarettes through instant messaging apps in Almaty and Western Kazakhstan region.
The Criminal Police Department in Almaty seized a $200,000 (4211 USD) e-cigarette from a man who was selling it through WhatsApp. The man has been prosecuted by the police for selling and distributing e-cigarettes and their accessories, as well as e-liquid.
The staff of the drug crime prevention office in the West Kazakhstan region police department recently arrested a resident from Uralsk for illegally selling prohibited e-cigarettes to minors through a Telegram online shop. During a search of his residence, authorities discovered and seized over a hundred disposable e-cigarettes, as well as 137 sets of smoking devices and e-liquid.
Violators now face a hefty fine of up to 200 MRP (equivalent to 738,400 Janguo or 1554.85 USD) in 2024, or forced labor of the same amount, or detention for up to 50 days.
On June 20th, Kazakhstan officially implemented a new regulation aimed at banning the sale, distribution, and import of e-cigarette products.
According to the recently passed Health Issues Law Amendment, a new section 301-1 has been added to the law regarding the circulation of non-tobacco products, electronic consumption systems (e-cigarettes), flavors, and their e-liquids. The first part specifies penalties for selling and distributing e-cigarettes: fines of up to 200 MRP (equivalent to 738,400 kn [1,554.85 USD] in 2024), or up to 200 hours of community service, or up to 50 days of detention. The second part imposes penalties for the import and production of e-cigarettes: fines of up to 2000 MRP (equivalent to 7.3 million kn [15,371 USD] in 2024), or up to 600 hours of community service, or up to 2 years of restriction or deprivation of freedom.
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