The Senate at its plenary session on Wednesday passed amendments to regulations aimed at restricting the circulation of certain types of tobacco products, devices for consumption of tobacco and nicotine, the press service of the Senate said.
“In recent years, there has been an increase in cases of illegal import into the country and circulation of new types of tobacco and nicotine products, in particular, electronic nicotine delivery systems, including electronic cigarettes and liquids for them, which leads to an increase in the use of these products among the population, especially among children and young people,” the report says.
The document provides for a ban on the circulation (production, manufacture, storage, transportation or transportation, import and export from Uzbekistan) of electronic nicotine delivery systems, including electronic cigarettes (vapes) and liquids for them.
In addition, liability is established for offenses related to the illegal introduction into circulation of smokeless tobacco products, devices for nicotine consumption, including electronic cigarettes.
The amendments provide for exemption from liability in the event of voluntary withdrawal to the authorities and the withdrawal of products whose circulation is prohibited.
Senate Chairperson Tanzila Narbaeva underscored that the amendments were developed to protect public health, primarily young people, and should help protect future generations and the environment.
“Promoting healthy lifestyle and the preservation of the nation’s gene pool are the most pressing goals today. A ban on electronic cigarettes could lead to the emergence of a “black market”. This problem also needs to be solved. It is very important to conduct explanatory work among young people, including girls, about the dangers of electronic cigarettes,” she underscored.
“Over the past four years, $28.5 million worth of 5.4 million electronic cigarettes have been imported into our country from abroad, which is 80 times more than in previous years,” she said.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Science, Education and Healthcare Bakhrom Abdullaev reported that according to statistics, the number of young people using nicotine delivery devices, including electronic cigarettes (more than 32 thousand people aged 18-29), is almost 5 times higher than the number of adults (more than 7,000 people aged 30-69). He underscored that schoolchildren are showing great interest in these products.
Health Minister Asilbek Khudayarov underscored that in addition to nicotine, electronic cigarettes contain about 80 carcinogenic, toxic chemical compounds and heavy metals, which have a serious negative impact on human health and the environment.
