President Sadyr Japarov has signed amendments to the Law on Protecting Citizens' Health from the Consequences of Tobacco Consumption in Kyrgyzstan and the Code of Administrative Offenses. The amendments introduce a ban on smoking in public places, except for designated smoking areas approved by local authorities.
State officials, local government bodies, organizations, and enterprises are allowed to allocate special smoking rooms and equip them in accordance with sanitary, fire safety norms approved by the cabinet of ministers.
The amendments also hold individuals accountable for enabling the sale of tobacco products to children under 18 years old. The fines for violations of the tobacco control law have been increased significantly.
Now, individuals caught smoking in undesignated areas will face a fine of 3,000 soms, up from 1,000 soms. Those who fail to provide proper smoking areas and equipment will be fined 5,000 soms for individuals (previously 3,000 soms) and 50,000 soms for legal entities (previously 13,000 soms).
