Tajikistan Weighs a Total Vape Ban as Upper House Chair Orders Draft Bill

Jan.26

Tajikistan is preparing legislation that could impose a nationwide ban on e-cigarettes. Upper house chair Rustami Emomali (Рустами Эмомали) has ordered the drafting of a bill, which is still under development. Retailers have begun scaling back sales amid tightening signals, while existing tobacco-control rules already restrict smoking in many public places and set fines.

Key points

• Upper house chair Rustami Emomali (Рустами Эмомали) has instructed officials to draft a bill for a total e-cigarette ban

• The proposal is framed as a public health measure and could cover both circulation and use

• Retailers are already cutting back on e-cigarette inventories as the policy debate intensifies

• WHO estimates over 100 million global users; Tajik health officials warn about respiratory harms and nicotine dependence

• Current tobacco-control law includes fines: 3–5 “calculation indicators” for illegal smoking and 50–100 for illegal tobacco sales; 1 indicator = 78 somoni

2Firsts, Jan 26, 2026

According to MIR 24, Tajikistan is seriously considering a nationwide ban on e-cigarettes. The chair of the upper house, Rustami Emomali (Рустами Эмомали), has instructed officials to prepare a draft bill. The proposal remains under development and review, but lawmakers are treating it as a key public health issue.

Retailers are already reacting. E-cigarettes were previously widely available, but some merchants have begun scaling back sales as expectations of tighter regulation spread. Retail worker Maksud Kholov (Максуд Холов) said purchases have fallen sharply from prior levels.

Public health concerns are also fueling the debate. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 100 million people use e-cigarettes globally. Makhmadrahim Nabizoda (Махмадрахim Набизода), head of Tajikistan’s national drug monitoring and prevention center under the Ministry of Health (Министерство здравоохранения Таджикистана), cited concerns that vaping may be associated with bronchitis, chronic bronchitis and allergic lung conditions, while nicotine can reinforce dependence.

Residents in Dushanbe (Душанбе), including Nekruz Yusupov (Некруз Юсупов) and Bakhtier Erov (Бахтиер Еров), voiced support for tougher restrictions.

Tajikistan already enforces tobacco-control rules that ban smoking in workplaces and institutions, hospitals, schools, public transport, airports and railway stations. Violations can draw fines of 3–5 “calculation indicators,” while illegal tobacco sales can be punished by 50–100 indicators. The standard is 78 somoni per indicator.

Photo credit: MIR 24.

References:

[1] В Таджикистане готовят закон о полном запрете электронных сигарет

Also Read:

[1] Tajikistan Signals Plan to Ban Use, Production and Circulation of 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