Key Takeaways
- Uzbekistan will ban the legal sale, storage and import of electronic nicotine delivery systems from March 1
- Consumers may avoid criminal liability by voluntarily surrendering prohibited devices to law enforcement
- A distributor says imports effectively stalled in early 2025 and sellers have been clearing warehouse stock
- Purchase activity is said to have fallen by about 50% versus 2023 peak levels amid talk of heavy fines
- Some retailers are shifting to heated tobacco systems and premium cigarettes, while some vape shops are converting into food-and-coffee outlets
2Firsts, February 27, 2026
According to Spot, Uzbekistan will introduce a total ban on the circulation of electronic nicotine delivery systems starting March 1. The new law would halt legal sales, storage and imports of all vaporisers. Spot also says consumers are given one legal option to avoid criminal liability: voluntarily handing prohibited devices to law enforcement officers.
Spot quotes the founder of a major distributor as saying imports had already been effectively paralysed in early 2025, with merchants selling only remaining warehouse stock. The same source said purchasing activity has dropped by about 50% compared with record levels in 2023 amid circulating reports of heavy fines, and argued that eliminating a transparent market would benefit smugglers while depriving the state budget of tax revenues.
Spot reports that formal retail chains are rapidly adapting, with larger suppliers shifting to still-permitted heated tobacco systems and premium cigarettes. It also says a number of vape shops have changed their concept, with some stores transforming into youth-oriented food and beverage outlets where fast food, coffee and trending Asian snacks replace nicotine liquids and other vape products.
The report adds that on November 28, 2025, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a law banning the sale of e-cigarettes and e-liquids, which would take effect three months after publication.
Image source: Spot
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