Key points:
- Kazakhstan’s Mazhilis Parliament is reviewing amendments to criminal law to impose stricter penalties on the storage and delivery of e-cigarettes.
- The proposed changes aim to close legal loopholes that have allowed large-scale storage and distribution of banned vaping products.
- Individuals found storing or delivering e-cigarettes exceeding a certain value threshold could face significant fines or imprisonment.
Since 2024, Kazakhstan has enforced a comprehensive ban on e-cigarettes, prohibiting their import, sale, and production. Article 301-1 of the Criminal Code outlines penalties for violations, including fines and imprisonment for the sale, import, or production of these products.
Proposed Amendments:
Abzal Kuspan, head of the working group and a member of the Mazhilis, highlighted the need to address the issue of large-scale storage of e-cigarettes, which is not currently penalized under existing laws. “Police arrive on site, discover the vapes, but there’s no liability for storage,” Kuspan stated.
The proposed amendments would introduce criminal liability for storing e-cigarettes valued over 2,000 Monthly Calculation Index (MCI), approximately 7.8 million tenge (US$15,000) in 2025. Similarly, couriers delivering illegal e-cigarettes exceeding this value could also face legal consequences.
Enforcement and Public Response:
Despite the ban, illegal e-cigarette products continue to circulate in Kazakhstan. In 2024, 115 individuals were prosecuted for illegal trafficking of vape devices, with 97 cases reported in the first quarter of 2025 alone.
The proposed legal amendments are currently under review by the Mazhilis Parliament, with voting results expected in the near future. If passed, the new law will significantly impact the e-cigarette market in Kazakhstan.
