Kazakhstan to Ban Vaping Devices, International Health Experts Call It a ‘Backward Step’

International public health experts have expressed serious concerns about Kazakhstan's impending ban on e-cigarettes, calling it a "backward step," contrasting sharply with countries that have significantly reduced smoking harm through the use of alternative nicotine products.

According to a report by Businesswire on September 13, international public health experts have expressed serious concerns about Kazakhstan's impending ban on e-cigarettes, labeling it a "backward step," which stands in stark contrast to countries that have significantly reduced smoking harm through the use of alternative nicotine products.

The public health organization Smoke Free Sweden believes that the Kazakh government's plan to implement this ban by January 1, 2024, will jeopardize the lives of 3.2 million smokers in the country, as they will lose the best opportunity to quit their nicotine addiction.

Global health advocates and founder of Smoke Free Sweden, Delon Human, stated:

"We are deeply concerned about this regressive move by the Kazakh Ministry of Health, which contradicts the remarkable achievements some countries have made in adopting modern products like e-cigarettes and oral pouches."

Dr. Human believes that alternative nicotine products are saving millions of lives by providing smokers with a way to escape combustible cigarettes.

"It has been proven that they are at least 95% less harmful than cigarettes and are the most effective way for smokers to quit."

He urged Kazakh authorities to follow Sweden's example, which is set to reduce its smoking rate to below 5% in the coming months. This is the level at which a country is considered officially smoke-free.

Reports indicate that Sweden is the first EU country to achieve this milestone, 17 years ahead of schedule, by implementing policies that make e-cigarettes and oral pouches accessible, acceptable, and affordable for adult smokers.

Dr. Human stated:

"If the Kazakh authorities truly care about saving lives, they should follow the science and provide affordable e-cigarettes instead of preventing smokers from using them."