The Uzbekistan Ministry of Health has released a draft law for public discussion that includes a ban on the circulation of various tobacco and nicotine products, electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating systems, and introduces accountability in this area.
Currently, under Article 37 of the law "On Restricting the Distribution and Use of Alcoholic and Tobacco Products," the importation and sale of non-smoking tobacco products, nicotine-containing non-smoking products, nicotine and non-nicotine liquids, tobacco and nicotine consumption devices, and electronic cigarettes are prohibited in Uzbekistan.
The proposed law suggests categorizing tobacco products based on their composition rather than smoking type to prevent different interpretations of this norm in legal practice.
The document proposes to prohibit the import, export, and transit through Uzbekistan, as well as the production, acquisition, storage, transportation, or transfer, and sale of products containing tobacco leaves and/or other parts of the tobacco plant, products containing nicotine or its derivatives, and items intended for use with tobacco and nicotine devices.
Individuals are also proposed to be prohibited from importing the mentioned tobacco products and tobacco consumption devices for personal use without the intention of using them for business purposes, while legal entities are prohibited from using them as exhibition samples or for testing.
The law also introduces fines for violations related to the circulation of prohibited tobacco products, tobacco consumption devices, electronic cigarettes, and hookahs.
The Criminal Code is expected to include a new article imposing fines and imprisonment for violations related to these products, with stricter penalties for repeat offenders and those involved in organized crime.
The justification for the draft law emphasizes the need to protect the population, especially children and adolescents, from the increasing consumption of modern nicotine and tobacco products in Uzbekistan.
The Ministry of Health warns that without intervention, a significant portion of the youth population will suffer from nicotine addiction in the future. The negative impact of the tobacco industry's marketing strategies on promoting these products among the youth is also highlighted.
International experiences with regulating electronic cigarettes vary, with some countries banning their sale entirely while others classify them as consumer goods. Strict regulation is seen as more effective in curbing their usage.
In light of global health concerns, the World Health Organization has urged countries to take urgent measures to control the spread of electronic cigarettes, including banning flavored vapes.
The discussion on the draft law will continue until April 18th.
