Mongolia Proposes Full Regulation of E-Cigarettes Under Tobacco Law

Key Points

• Date: November 25, 2025
• Bill sponsor: MP O. Nominchimeg and 78 co-signing members
• Committee: Standing Committee on Human Development and Social Policy
• Main goals:

1. Regulate e-cigarettes as tobacco products
2. Phase in excise tax increases (2026–2030)
3. Ban flavors and visible retail displays
4. Prohibit public smoking and vaping

• WHO data: Tobacco use affects 28.4% of Mongolia’s population — among the highest in the Western Pacific.
• Public health aim: Redirect tobacco tax revenues toward youth health and anti-smoking programs.

2Firsts, November 25, 2025 —According to ZUV reports, Mongolia’s Standing Committee on Human Development and Social Policy has begun deliberations on a sweeping amendment to the Tobacco Control Law submitted by Member of Parliament O. Nominchimeg and 78 co-sponsors. The bill seeks to modernize Mongolia’s tobacco regulations to address the surge in e-cigarette use and its growing popularity among youth.

Presenting the proposal, MP Nominchimeg noted that new forms of tobacco consumption — particularly electronic cigarettes — require updated legal oversight. She cited data from the World Health Organization (WHO) showing that tobacco use in Mongolia has reached 28.4% of the population, ranking seventh highest in the Western Pacific region.

According to Customs General Administration data, cigarette imports doubled between 2012 and 2024, while e-cigarette imports surged 175-fold in just four years — from 47,000 units in 2020 to 8.2 million units in 2024. A WHO survey found that one in 25 students aged 13–17 smokes cigarettes, and one in four uses e-cigarettes.

Nominchimeg emphasized that e-cigarettes are not a proven harm-reduction tool, but rather increase the likelihood of youth nicotine addiction by three to five times. She cited scientific evidence showing the devices can cause respiratory inflammation, cardiovascular effects, and nicotine dependence.

The proposed bill would:

• Apply the same legal and tax framework to e-cigarettes as to conventional cigarettes.
• Increase excise taxes incrementally from 2026 to 2030.
• Ban flavors and visible product displays in stores.
• Prohibit public vaping and smoking in open areas.

Currently, a pack of cigarettes in Mongolia costs around ₮3,850, with taxes accounting for only 40% of the price — among the lowest globally. The WHO has found that a 10% price increase can reduce tobacco use by 4–7% in developing countries.

Tax revenues from the increases would be earmarked for:

• Anti-smoking education and prevention programs.
• Improving school nutrition and youth welfare.
• Expanding healthy recreation opportunities for adolescents.

Nominchimeg warned that “tobacco lobby money is earned at the cost of the next generation’s health and lives”, adding that failure to raise taxes would be akin to “pushing 4,300 Mongolians — the population of one or two soums — toward death each year.”

Other lawmakers expressed support but raised concerns about potential economic impacts. MP T. Munkhsaikhan noted that the bill faced “organized disinformation” campaigns and cited rising female smoking rates and younger age of initiation. Several MPs proposed channeling tobacco tax revenues into the Health Insurance Fund or the Health Promotion Fund.

The Committee ultimately voted to move the bill forward for full parliamentary discussion.

Image source: ZUV