Kazakhstan Denies Rumors of Easing Hookah and Vape Restrictions: Deputy Interior Minister Reaffirms “Zero Tolerance” for Vapes

Key Point

• Hookah-related rules are being debated across several government bodies.
• Vape ban remains firm, with enhanced criminal penalties.
• Adilov: “Our stance on vapes is clear—stronger penalties and zero tolerance.”
• Illegal vape products worth 1 billion tenge seized in Almaty this summer.
• A man in Ust-Kamenogorsk was fined over 360,000 tenge for selling one vape on Telegram.

2Firsts, November 13, 2025 — According to NUR.KZ, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Interior Minister Sanzhar Adilov (Санжар Адилов) commented in the Senate corridors on rumors that the country may ease its ban on hookahs and vapes.

Currently, smoking hookahs in public places is prohibited in Kazakhstan. However, information appeared on social media suggesting that authorities were ready to reconsider these rules. Journalists asked Adilov whether this was true.

Adilov said: “Indeed, discussions are underway. My colleagues from the Administrative Police Committee are participating in interagency working groups in the government and in Parliament. Therefore, the work will continue, and once a decision is made, we will definitely announce it.”

He added that further public hearings were expected and that the issue would eventually be resolved. “At present, it is still under consideration — administrative liability (for smoking in public places) remains,” Adilov noted.

According to him, the scope of discussion is wide:

“First of all, this concerns permission to import relevant equipment into Kazakhstan, the use of this equipment, as well as the list of substances used in hookahs. Further issues include entertainment venues and time limits. Therefore, the full spectrum of related aspects is being discussed thoroughly and without preconditions.”

However, the ministry’s position on vapes has not changed.

Adilov stated: “No, regarding vapes, we have a ban. Moreover, recently — following an initiative from MP Nurgul Tau (Нургуль Тау) — additional measures were adopted, introducing criminal liability for the sale and transportation of vapes. Our position on vapes is unequivocal — strengthened criminal responsibility and zero tolerance.”

Image Source: NUR.KZ