Kazakhstan officially bans e-cigarettes

On July 29 local time, Kazakhstan's government voted to ban the sale, import, export and production of e-cigarette devices and vape oil. The interdepartmental committee voted overwhelmingly 12-2.
According to Nurgul Tau, vice-chairman of the lower house of Kazakhstan's parliament (Mazhilis), members of the cross-sectoral committee voted almost unanimously in favor of the ban. They said:
"The harm of e-cigarettes is undeniable. That is why the Ministry of Health has been strongly raising the issue of banning the circulation of e-cigarettes since 2021. At my request, I propose a complete ban on the sale of e-cigarettes. The fight for our children's health and future has paid off. Yesterday, members of the interdepartmental committee voted almost unanimously in favor of a complete ban on the sale, import, export and production of e-cigarettes."
They also noted that the Ministry of Health supports the measure, an initiative that has been ongoing since 2022. Preparations for the legislation began after May 10 this year, followed closely by a ban on the use of e-cigarettes in public places. The background that prompted this ban is the 300% increase in the use of e-cigarettes by minors in Kazakhstan, and the importation of about 3 million e-cigarettes into Kazakhstan in two and a half years.