Uzbekistan bans e-cigarettes

Criminal liability has been established in Uzbekistan for the trafficking of electronic cigarettes. This was stipulated in the law adopted yesterday, November 27, titled “On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan Aimed at Strengthening Requirements for the Circulation of Certain Tobacco Products and Devices for Consuming Tobacco and Nicotine.”

According to amendments to the Criminal Code, in Uzbekistan, the production, acquisition, storage, transportation, transfer, manufacture, import, or export of tobacco products and electronic nicotine delivery systems, including electronic cigarettes, that are prohibited from circulation, is punishable if committed in large quantities or repeated after administrative penalties. Offenders face fines ranging from 300 to 500 times the base calculation amount (approximately 123.6 million to 206 million UZS), or corrective labor for 2–3 years, or restriction of liberty for 3–5 years, or imprisonment for 3–5 years.

However, a person who voluntarily admits their guilt to the authorities and surrenders the prohibited products is exempt from liability.

Additionally, the law “On Restricting the Distribution and Consumption of Alcohol and Tobacco Products” now explicitly prohibits the circulation of electronic cigarettes and related liquids.

For context, last April, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev approved amendments to health legislation banning the import, production, and sale of electronic cigarettes. The law, which also bans the sale and advertisement of various tobacco products, came into force in June 2024.

Similarly, Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov signed a law last November aimed at strengthening measures to protect public health from the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine substances. That law took effect on July 1, 2025.

In Uzbekistan, a similar law was submitted to the Oliy Majlis in January this year. On January 30, the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis adopted a draft law in the third reading, which envisages a complete ban on electronic cigarettes. The law was subsequently approved by senators during the sixth plenary session of the Senate.