Kazakhstan police uncover $110,000 worth of illegal e-cigarette trade

Oct.29.2024
Kazakhstan police uncover $110,000 worth of illegal e-cigarette trade
Kazakh police uncover $110,000 worth of illegal e-cigarettes at industrial base in Ekibastuz, with two suspects detained.

According to a report from Kazinform on October 28th, Kazakhstani police discovered a shipment of e-cigarettes valued at 55 million tenge (110,000 USD) at an industrial site in Ekibastuz. The goods were intended for illegal transactions through social media and messaging apps. In addition, authorities also seized nearly 1100 bottles of e-cigarette liquid.


According to police sources, this batch of illegal goods was originally intended for sale. Despite knowing that the circulation of these products has been officially prohibited, some young people continue to sell these e-cigarettes through online stores on well-known social media platforms and instant messaging apps. Currently, two suspects have been detained by the police on suspicion of selling and distributing illegal e-cigarettes.


At the same time, law enforcement officers intercepted a vehicle carrying e-cigarettes during the raid. It is believed that this batch of e-cigarettes was also intended to be delivered to customers who placed orders online.


On June 20th, Kazakhstan officially implemented a law to revise and supplement certain health-related legal provisions, which explicitly bans the sale of smokeless tobacco products and e-cigarettes.


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

EU Tobacco Tax Reform Targets November Push as Sweden Holds Nicotine-Pouch Minimum at €20 per Kilogram
EU Tobacco Tax Reform Targets November Push as Sweden Holds Nicotine-Pouch Minimum at €20 per Kilogram
The Irish presidency of the Council of the European Union is using bilateral talks to push the bloc’s Tobacco Taxation Directive toward a political agreement in November. According to Law360, citing an EU official, Sweden is unwilling to accept a minimum excise threshold above €20 per kilogram for nicotine pouches. Council negotiations have already lowered the European Commission’s original proposal, but a May 2026 presidency compromise still set the minimum at 10% of the tax-inclusive retail price or €30 per kilogram in 2028-29, with higher levels later.
Market
Sep.17 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Spain Cigarette Volumes Fall 5.2% in August, BAT Drops 14.5%, JTI Gains Share; France Down 8.3% on Adjusted Basis
Spain Cigarette Volumes Fall 5.2% in August, BAT Drops 14.5%, JTI Gains Share; France Down 8.3% on Adjusted Basis
Spain's cigarette volumes declined 5.2% year over year in August 2026, according to government data cited by UBS and reported by Investing.com on October 7. British American Tobacco's volumes fell 14.5%, followed by Imperial Brands at 8.8%, Philip Morris International at 6.6% and Japan Tobacco at 4.6%. JTI was the only one of the four companies to gain cigarette market share, rising six basis points to 26.7%. In France, official customs data showed an unadjusted 3.7% decline in cigarette deliveries. Adjusting for the difference in delivery days produces a decline of approximately 8.3%, consistent with the UBS figure. The bank also estimated the earnings exposure of major tobacco companies to both markets.
Market
Oct.13
Product | KT&G Launches lil HYBRID 3.0 Misty Rosé Edition II in South Korea With Two Pink Finishes at 88,000 Won
Product | KT&G Launches lil HYBRID 3.0 Misty Rosé Edition II in South Korea With Two Pink Finishes at 88,000 Won
South Korean tobacco company KT&G launched the limited-edition lil HYBRID 3.0 Misty Rosé Edition II on September 30, 2026, following the original Misty Rosé Edition introduced in November 2025. The new release comes in two pink finishes, Bloom Rosé and Viva Rosé, each priced at 88,000 won. Both versions initially went on sale through the lil Store online shop and lil MINIMALIUM flagship stores. From October 7, Bloom Rosé became available at approximately 1,500 lil Station retail outlets nationwide. The release retains the existing lil HYBRID 3.0 hybrid heated tobacco platform, with changes focused on exterior design and distribution.
product
Oct.10
Australia Extends Illicit Tobacco Crackdown From Tougher Penalties to Customs and Logistics Supply Chains
Australia Extends Illicit Tobacco Crackdown From Tougher Penalties to Customs and Logistics Supply Chains
Australia's federal government introduced a new illicit tobacco enforcement bill on September 10 that would strengthen evidentiary presumptions, representative sampling, seizure and forfeiture procedures, proceeds-of-crime powers and obligations for customs and logistics operators. The proposal follows the Combatting Illicit Tobacco Act 2026, which took effect in August and increased penalties while expanding investigative and asset-recovery tools. Together, the reforms extend Australia's crackdown from tougher criminal sanctions into import, logistics and evidentiary enforcement.
Sep.14
Why AIRSCREAM Built its European Production Hub for Regulated Market Growth
Why AIRSCREAM Built its European Production Hub for Regulated Market Growth
AIRSCREAM’s production hub in the Czech Republic brings nicotine pouch manufacturing, e-liquid bottling, product documentation, warehousing and international logistics into one operation, giving brands and commercial partners a practical platform from which to launch, expand and enter new markets.
Market
Sep.16 by 2Firsts Perspectives
China’s Vape-Related Exports Rose 4.5% in Q3 2026 as 21.6% Growth in Shipments to the UK Offset a Decline in Shipments to the US
China’s Vape-Related Exports Rose 4.5% in Q3 2026 as 21.6% Growth in Shipments to the UK Offset a Decline in Shipments to the US
China's vape-related exports rose 4.5% year over year to $2.86 billion in the third quarter of 2026, led by stronger shipments to the United Kingdom as exports to the United States declined. UK-bound shipments increased 21.6%, adding $81.9 million, while US exports fell 5.2%, or $53.6 million. Growth weakened through the quarter, with September exports down 6.3% globally and 37.8% to the US. Nicotine-containing vape products accounted for more than 82% of the quarterly net increase, while device exports were nearly flat. Nine-month exports totaled $7.82 billion, up 4.0%.
DATA
Oct.26