Kazakhstan Public Health Law Amendments Take Effect: Full Ban on Heated Tobacco, E-Cigarettes, and Vape Liquids

Key Points:

·Kazakhstan has passed a law banning smokeless tobacco products and e-cigarettes. 

·The new law imposes heavy penalties on those involved in the production, sale, and distribution of banned tobacco products. 

·Offenders who disregard the ban could face up to five years in prison. 

·Kazakh authorities emphasize the importance of strict enforcement of the new regulations.

【2Firsts News Flash】According to a report from zakon.kz on July 21, the President of Kazakhstan has signed a Republic Law amending public health legislation, which came into effect on June 20. This law represents a significant revision to the Public Health and Medical System Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The tax authorities of Mangystau region in Kazakhstan have specifically pointed out that Article 110 of the new law explicitly prohibits the import, production, sale, and distribution of the following products: smokeless tobacco products, e-cigarettes, e-cigarette flavors, and e-liquid. In addition, the ban also includes cigarettes, heated tobacco products, waterpipe tobacco, and mixtures with nicotine and tar content exceeding the permissible limits, as well as related products that do not meet established health requirements.

The regional tax office emphasized that the newly added Article 301-1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan clearly delineates the responsibilities for violating this ban. Punishments for selling and distributing illegal products, such as tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and related products, include fines up to 200 times the monthly wage base (786,400 tenge, approximately $1,716), corrective work of equal amount, up to 200 hours of community service, or up to 50 days of detention.

Those attempting to import or produce these prohibited products within the territory of Kazakhstan will face harsher penalties: fines of up to 2000 times the monthly wage benchmark (7,864,000 tenge, approximately $14,777), or seizure of assets and up to two years of imprisonment.

According to the local tax bureau, if these actions are committed by a group or repeatedly, they could be sentenced to up to five years in prison. The local tax bureau urges citizens and businesses to strictly comply with the new law to avoid breaking the law.