Kazakhstan’s government is officially discussing a potential reversal of its ban on smoking hookahs (shisha) in public establishments like cafes and restaurants. The news was confirmed on November 13, 2025, by Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Sanzhar Adilov, following widespread social media speculation.
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Official statistics in Kazakhstan may not reflect the reality of nicotine consumption following a nationwide ban on the sale of vapes, according to independent consumer research highlighted by inbusiness.kz. While the government’s ban was intended to curb use, a recent user poll reveals it has largely failed to stop nicotine consumption, instead pushing it into an unregulated black market.
Read moreA new analytical study from Kazakhstan’s “Strategy” Public Fund has concluded that the country’s increasingly strict, prohibition-focused anti-tobacco measures have failed to significantly reduce the number of smokers. The research, which analyzed regulatory changes and smoking prevalence from recent years, argues that a “zero-tolerance” approach that equates all nicotine products has pushed the market into the shadows, cost the state budget, and stalled public health progress. Instead, the fund advocates for adopting a risk-differentiated, harm reduction strategy, citing positive results in countries like the UK, New Zealand, Sweden, and Japan.
Read moreAuthorities in Almaty, Kazakhstan, have dismantled a group engaged in the illegal trafficking of electronic cigarettes (vapes), flavors, and their liquids. The operation, conducted by the Financial Monitoring Agency (AFM), targeted a network that sold the prohibited products through a Telegram channel named “Escobar Optom,” utilizing courier services for delivery.
Read moreThe Department of State Revenue in the Mangystau region of Kazakhstan is informing citizens and entrepreneurs of a significant change in legislation: a complete ban on the import, production, and sale of vapes (e-cigarettes). The new law introduces substantial amendments to the country’s code “On the Health of the People and the Healthcare System.”
Read moreKazakhstan is ramping up its efforts to combat the illegal trade and use of electronic cigarettes (vapes) as offenses related to these products continue to rise, particularly among young people. According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, over 268 criminal offenses involving vapes have been registered since the beginning of 2025, with a significant portion concerning illicit trade and sales to minors under 18.
Read moreKazakhstan’s Majilis (lower house of parliament) is set to review amendments to its criminal legislation that would introduce stricter penalties for offenses related to electronic cigarettes (vapes), including for their storage and delivery. This move comes after an official ban on the import, sale, and production of vapes was implemented in the country last year.
Read moreMajilis Passes Reforms Aimed at Simplification and Differentiated Rates
Deputies in Kazakhstan’s Majilis (lower house of parliament) have approved a new Tax Code in its second reading, introducing significant changes aimed at simplifying the system and adjusting tax rates across various sectors. The reforms include setting the standard Value Added Tax (VAT) rate and outlining phased increases for excise duties on alcohol, tobacco, and heated tobacco products (HTPs).
Read moreDomestic 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.
Read moreA year has passed since Kazakhstan enacted a sweeping ban on the sale, manufacture, and distribution of electronic cigarettes and vaping devices on April 19, 2024. The legislation, which carries penalties ranging from fines and arrests to imprisonment and property confiscation for large-scale trafficking, aimed to curb the growing popularity of vaping, particularly among minors. However, as a “Kursiv” correspondent discovered, the ban has given rise to a thriving black market that operates under principles akin to drug trafficking, making it relatively easy to purchase these prohibited products.
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