Proposed Legislation: Fines Imposed for Smoking in Public and in Media

On January 28th, Russian media outlet Vesti.kg reported that the Ministry of Health has proposed a bill to impose fines on smoking in public places, as well as the depiction of smoking in movies and animations. The bill has been submitted for public discussion.

Data from the Ministry of Health indicates that citizens widely violate current legislation aimed at protecting them from the health effects of smoking, nicotine, tobacco smoke, and fumes. However, these offenders are currently not facing any penalties.

In order to address this loophole, the Ministry of Health has proposed a series of reform ideas:

Individuals who violate the smoking ban, including the use of hookah, tobacco heating systems, and electronic nicotine delivery systems, will be fined 1000 som. For repeat offenders, the fine will increase to 2000 som.

Places that do not comply with the requirements for no smoking signs will be fined 10,000 som, while corporate entities and individual business owners will face a fine of 13,000 som.

Corporations and individual business operators who fail to regulate the impact of smoking, nicotine, tobacco smoke, and aerosols in their premises and territories will be fined 13,000 soms.

In places where the sale of tobacco products is prohibited, individuals face a fine of 5,500 som, while corporations and individual entrepreneurs are subject to a fine of 17,000 som.

Sales of tobacco products that do not comply with regulations will be subject to individual fines of 7,500 som and corporate fines of 23,000 som.

Selling products to individuals under the age of 18 will incur a personal fine of 7,000 som and a corporate fine of 20,000 som.

Selling tobacco and alcohol products below the prescribed minimum retail price will result in an individual fine of 3000 som and a corporate fine of 13000 som.

Sponsorship, advertising, or promotion of tobacco products will result in a personal fine of 10,000 Somali shillings, while corporations and individual business owners will face a fine of 28,000 Somali shillings.

Displaying tobacco products in visual and audio products intended for adults will result in personal fines of 13,000 som, while fines for legal entities and individual entrepreneurs will amount to 35,000 som, unless they constitute an integral part of artistic concept.

Displaying tobacco products in audiovisual products targeting children will result in a personal fine of 15,000 soms, while corporations and individual entrepreneurs will face a fine of 40,000 soms.

The objective of this bill is to strengthen the regulation of smoking behavior, increase penalties for violators, and ensure smoke-free environments in public spaces.