Uzbekistan Approves Initial E-Cigarette Ban: First Phase Targets E-Cigarettes and Flavored Products

According to Podrobno.uz, Uzbekistan's Ministry of Health announced that the lower house of parliament approved the first reading of a bill to ban e-cigarettes. The initial restrictions will target e-cigarettes and flavored variants, leaving heated tobacco systems unaffected for now.

During the parliamentary discussion, the Minister of Health emphasized that e-cigarettes and flavored products have become popular among young people, making them a priority for regulation. To implement the new rules effectively, the government plans to inform foreign visitors about the restrictions and confiscate prohibited devices at customs if necessary.

To ensure foreign nationals are aware of the ban, the Ministry of Health will collaborate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Customs Committee, and embassies abroad. Additionally, authorities are developing penalties for violations to reinforce compliance.

Rahim Hakimov, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, proposed exempting individuals who voluntarily surrender prohibited devices from administrative penalties. He argued that such a measure could reduce the ban's potential negative impact on tourism and maintain Uzbekistan's attractiveness as a travel destination.

The bill requires further refinement during a second reading and must be approved by the Senate and the President before coming into effect. The government plans to implement the ban in phases, allowing for adaptive adjustments as needed. Kazakhstan's e-cigarette prohibition has influenced Uzbekistan's legislative efforts. Moving forward, the impact and enforcement of these regulations will require close monitoring.