Key point: Internationally recognized public health expert Delon Human has expressed serious concern over Kazakhstan’s upcoming vaping ban, calling it a step backward compared with more progressive countries that use alternatives to reduce smoking harm.
Internationally renowned public health expert Delon Human has expressed serious concern over Kazakhstan’s impending vaping ban, calling it a “step backward” that contradicts the unprecedented success achieved by more progressive countries in dramatically reducing tobacco-related deaths through the use of alternative nicotine products. It is understood that the Kazakh government plans to implement the vaping ban before January 1, 2024.Delon Human said: “We are deeply concerned to note this regressive move by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Health, which runs counter to the remarkable achievements made by some countries through progressive approaches to modern products such as vaping devices and oral nicotine pouches.”“Around the world, alternative nicotine products have helped smokers move away from the harms of combustible cigarettes, thereby saving millions of lives. They have been shown to be at least 95% less harmful than cigarettes and are among the most effective ways for smokers to quit. Banning these risk-reduction products will only cause many smokers to continue smoking and lead to unnecessary premature deaths.”Delon Human urged the Kazakh authorities to follow Sweden’s example, where the smoking rate is expected to fall below 5% in the coming months. That is the level at which a country is officially regarded as smoke-free.”
