The Senate of Uzbekistan’s Oliy Majlis (Parliament) has approved significant legal amendments aimed at prohibiting the circulation of electronic cigarettes, liquids, and potentially heated tobacco systems within the country. The new law tightens requirements and establishes both administrative and criminal liability for handling these products illegally.

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Rumors Persist, But Official Prices Unchanged Since Late 2024

Despite ongoing speculation and a recent increase in the value of tax stamps (“banderoles”) affixed to packs, official cigarette prices in Egypt remain unchanged, with no new price hikes announced by manufacturers or the Ministry of Finance. Rumors frequently circulate regarding cigarette costs, prompting close consumer attention.

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Domestic Production Rises as Costs Increase Across Regions

Smokers in Kazakhstan are facing increasingly expensive cigarettes, with prices rising consistently month after month. According to analysis by Energyprom, the average cost of cigarettes surged by 16.5% year-on-year by the end of March 2025, with a 1% increase recorded in March alone.

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Officials Claim Provincial Government Ignores 2019 Law

Council members in Tucumán, Argentina, have strongly criticized the provincial government for failing to enforce an existing law that prohibits the use of electronic cigarettes (vapes) in enclosed public spaces. Councilors José María Canelada and Gustavo Cobos argue the issue isn’t a lack of regulation, but a lack of action from the Executive Branch.

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Calls for Dialogue Amid Claims of Targeting Legal Businesses

Representatives of Poland’s vaping industry have issued a formal appeal to Prime Minister Donald Tusk, urging an end to what they describe as excessive administrative pressure from recent nationwide inspections conducted by tax and customs services. The industry is calling for a halt to the current wave of controls and the initiation of constructive dialogue.

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Group Argues Grace Period Too Short, Questions State Authority

Vape traders in Terengganu are urging the state government to postpone the impending ban on the sale of e-cigarettes and vape products, scheduled to take effect on August 1st. Represented by the Terengganu branch of the Malay Vape Traders Association, they argue the ban will cause significant financial hardship and that the provided three-month grace period is inadequate.

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Philip Morris Brands See 10 TL Increase, Pushing Prices Higher

Smokers in Türkiye are facing significantly higher cigarette prices in 2025, with major brands experiencing substantial increases attributed largely to hikes in the Special Consumption Tax (SCT) on tobacco products.

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Hong Kong is set to tighten its tobacco control laws with a new amendment bill introduced on April 25, 2025. Key proposals target travelers bringing cigarettes and expand public no-smoking areas.

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Largest Hike Expected in 2025 Due to Excise Tax Adjustments

Cigarette prices in Ukraine are projected to increase continuously from 2025 through 2028, driven by planned hikes in excise taxes. According to the April 2025 Inflation Report from the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU), the most significant price jump is expected this year, partly to compensate for lower-than-targeted tax revenues in the previous year.

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New Bill Aims to Regulate E-commerce, Equalize Rules with Traditional Trade

Russia is developing comprehensive legislation to regulate its rapidly growing “platform economy,” including online marketplaces, with plans for adoption by the end of 2025. According to Maxim Topilin, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Economic Policy, the bill aims to establish clear rules for digital platforms and level the playing field between electronic and traditional commerce.

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