Rapid Increase in Tobacco Consumption in Kazakhstan in 2023
According to a report by Kazakhstan's business news website, inbusiness.kz, the sales volume of tobacco and tobacco products in the domestic market of Kazakhstan saw a significant increase from January to November 2023, with a year-on-year growth rate of 68.7%, reaching a staggering 29.4 billion units in sales value.
According to data from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), the total number of tobacco users in Kazakhstan has remained around 2.8 million from 2014 to 2019. In recent years, tobacco consumption in the country has been relatively stable. However, by 2023, there is a projected sharp increase in the number of smokers in Kazakhstan, reaching 19.4% of the population, equivalent to approximately 3.9 million people. This represents an increase of 1 million compared to previous data, indicating a significant rise in smoking rates.
One possible reason for this phenomenon is the recent decision in Kazakhstan to ban e-cigarettes, including their import, production, and sale, with violators facing criminal liability. Currently, this decision is still awaiting review in the Senate and requires the signature of President Kasym-Jomart Tokayev.
According to a report on the website of energy monitoring agency Energyprom, e-cigarettes are being banned as they are seen as a "competitor" to traditional tobacco products. A comprehensive study by the Royal College of London University has found that compared to traditional tobacco, e-cigarettes are considered to be healthier, with the use of e-cigarettes being at least 95% safer than traditional tobacco. This is because e-cigarettes do not produce combustion byproducts, reducing the risk of cancer, respiratory, and cardiovascular diseases.
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