Authorities in Kazakhstan have been cracking down on the illegal sale of nasvai for a week now, with over 25kg confiscated in Almaty alone. Despite being banned in 2015, nasvai is still openly sold in markets, underground passages, and even parks across the country. Following President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's strong stance against the harmful effects of nasvai, law enforcement officers have swiftly moved to apprehend distributors of this dangerous tobacco, lime, and animal feces mixture.
Raids to combat the illegal distribution, sale, and consumption of nasvai have been initiated in all regions of Kazakhstan since March 18. In Almaty, over 25kg of the mixture has been seized, and 132 individuals have been held accountable. Despite ongoing efforts to educate market owners and vendors about the ban on nasvai sales, the product remains available, albeit discreetly, with sellers even promoting its qualities and offering discounts to interested buyers.
Nasvai, priced affordably at 200 tenge for a small packet and 1,000 tenge for a half-liter bottle, is easily accessible in various locations, including near police stations. Sellers near Green Bazaar in Almaty claim the traditional Asian mixture, consumed by ancestors, boosts mood and productivity, making it a better alternative to cigarettes. However, experts warn of the severe health risks associated with nasvai, including dental issues, gastritis, stomach ulcers, and the potential transmission of infectious diseases due to the inclusion of animal feces.
Moreover, the mixture poses a serious threat to the central nervous system, leading to dependency, decreased attention span, memory loss, and reduced cognitive function. Legislation is currently being considered to criminalize the import, production, sale, and distribution of nasvai in Kazakhstan. For now, violators face administrative fines of over 92,000 tenge, with law enforcement agencies committed to ongoing raids to curb the illegal trade of nasvai.
