By Timothy S. Donahue

Top Takeaways:

• The Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers approved a temporary six-month ban on the import of e-cigarettes and pods, effective 15 days after official publication.
• Authorities cited rising youth use and public health concerns, aiming to curb the uncontrolled influx of vaping products.
• The move aligns with regional tightening, following Kazakhstan’s 2024 e-cigarette ban and Uzbekistan’s 2025 restrictions.

Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet of Ministers has approved a six-month temporary ban on the import of e-cigarettes, vapes and related cartridges, according to a government decree published by state authorities.

Under the decree, the restriction will take effect 15 days after its official publication and applies to the importation of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), including disposable and cartridge-based (pod) products. The measure is intended to curb the spread of nicotine addiction and address growing concerns over the rapid uptake of e-cigarettes, particularly among young people.

In announcing the decision, Kyrgyz authorities cited public health risks associated with vaping and said the temporary ban is designed to prevent the uncontrolled inflow of e-cigarette products into the domestic market while regulators assess longer-term policy options. Officials pointed to rising use among adolescents and young adults in recent years as a key factor behind the move.

The decree was adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers and published through official government channels, making it legally binding once the implementation period begins. The document does not specify enforcement mechanisms beyond customs controls, nor does it outline whether the government intends to pursue a permanent ban once the six-month period expires.

Kyrgyzstan’s decision follows a tightening regulatory trend across Central Asia. Neighboring Kazakhstan implemented a comprehensive ban on the sale, import, export, and advertising of electronic cigarettes in June 2024, making it one of the strictest vaping prohibitions in the region.

Uzbekistan has also moved to restrict the category. In November 2025, Uzbek authorities introduced new limitations on the distribution of e-cigarettes and vaping products, citing similar concerns around youth use and regulatory oversight.

Public health officials across the region have increasingly framed e-cigarette controls as part of broader tobacco and nicotine reduction strategies, particularly in countries where enforcement capacity and age-verification mechanisms remain limited.

The Kyrgyz import ban adds to a growing list of countries using temporary trade restrictions as a policy tool to address vaping-related concerns while more permanent regulatory frameworks are considered.