According to Almaty.tv reported on August 8th, ten businesses in Almaty, Kazakhstan are under investigation for selling e-cigarettes, with those involved facing a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison. It is reported that police are conducting regular raids to crackdown on illegal e-cigarette transactions. In addition to underground stores, authorities have also discovered online sales. So far, six online stores have been shut down.
According to reports, despite laws prohibiting the sale of e-cigarettes, some illicit traders continue to engage in underground transactions. Approximately 40 countries worldwide have implemented complete bans on e-cigarettes. According to doctors, vaping e-cigarettes may pose greater health risks than traditional cigarettes due to their chemical composition, toxic substance levels, and the frequent indoor smoking habits of e-cigarette users.
Nazym Alpeisova, acting head of the second women's department at the mental health center, stated that...
Someone may have been smoking for many years without seeking medical attention, but as time goes on, other organs may gradually begin to show symptoms of disease.
Since the law came into effect, Almaty conducts daily raids to shut down e-cigarette shops. In fact, not only the sale, but also the act of vaping e-cigarettes will be punished.
The Deputy Chief of the Police Substation, Aitan Eleusizov, stated:
Smokers also face administrative responsibility. According to Article 110 of the National Health and Medical System Law, certain smoking prohibited areas are clearly defined. These include cigarettes, e-cigarettes, hookahs, Nasvai, and Snils (traditional tobacco products), all of which are considered smoking behavior and are strictly prohibited.
According to reports, individuals caught illegally selling e-cigarettes could face fines of up to 200 times the monthly income (in 2024, Kazakhstan's monthly calculation index is 3,692 tenge, equivalent to about $7.70) or forced labor of the same value. Offenders may be detained for up to 50 days, and those found guilty of serious violations could potentially face up to five years of imprisonment.
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