E-cigarettes in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan: Dastan Bekeshev, deputy chairman of the parliamentary Budget, Economic and Fiscal Policy Committee, has said many MPs want to cut the excise tax on e-liquids, media reports. They justify this on the grounds that e-cigarettes are less harmful than traditional cigarettes, but Bekeshev said “the usual lobby” was behind their demand.

Kyrgyzstan: The Cabinet of Ministers has set minimum retail prices for e-cigarette products, media reports. A price of KGS250 ($3) is set for nicotine-containing disposables from 1st January 2023, rising to KGS300 ($3.60) on 1st January 2024. A price of KGS1,300 ($15.50) is set for e-cigarette devices from 1st January 2023, rising to KGS1,400 ($16.70) on 1st January 2024.

Kyrgyzstan: Parliament member Ulan Bakasov has proposed banning vapour and e-cigarette products, introducing a bill “On the prohibition of the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems and electronic cigarettes”.

Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU): The Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission decided last week to introduce traceability marking for e-cigarettes throughout the EAEU. The five member states – Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia – will reportedly determine individually their own procedure and enforcement dates.

Kyrgyzstan: The Ministry of Economy and Finance has put forward for public discussion a draft resolution on minimum retail prices for tobacco and nicotine-containing products, media reports. It suggests e-cigarettes should be priced at KGS400 ($4.80) per device in 2023, then rise gradually until 2026.