Kazakhstan Senate Sends Controversial Healthcare Bill Back to Parliament
On March 14, according to Kapital.kz, the Senate of Kazakhstan has sent back to parliament (Majilis) a controversial healthcare-related bill for further adjustments. One provision of the bill bans the import, production, sale, and distribution of e-cigarettes in Kazakhstan.
In January 2024, Māris represented successfully passed a draft law "On amending and supplementing certain legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on healthcare issues." One provision of the document stipulates a complete ban on e-cigarettes in Kazakhstan.
The standards have been established to completely ban the import, production, sale, and distribution of e-cigarettes," said Member of Parliament Guldara Nurumova during a full parliamentary session.
According to regulations, criminal responsibility will be pursued for the distribution of e-cigarette devices: the maximum penalty for sales is arrest, up to 50 days; the maximum penalty for import and distribution is imprisonment, up to 2 years; for the same actions committed by criminal organizations, particularly large-scale operations, or repeated offenses, the maximum penalty is imprisonment, up to 5 years.
Senators have proposed multiple amendments to the bill, including regulations regarding e-cigarettes. The specific details have not been made public yet, but it is clear that there is opposition in parliament. The views on whether this ban will ultimately pass and become law are currently divided, and the nation awaits the final decision.
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