Kyrgyz Parliament Withdraws Vape Ban Bills for Revision
The Kyrgyz Parliament has decided to withdraw two bills related to a ban on e-cigarettes and send them back for revision. The relevant parliamentary committee stated that it will incorporate feedback from various parties to improve the drafts before resubmitting them for consideration. During discussions, some members of parliament argued that a complete ban may not be effective and suggested exploring legalization through taxation.
Key Points at a Glance
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Legislative Action: The relevant committee of the Kyrgyz Parliament has withdrawn two bills for further revision.
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Scope of the Bills: The drafts include a law banning e-cigarettes and a bill amending several related legal documents.
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Next Steps: The committee will consolidate opinions and suggestions before resubmitting the drafts to parliament.
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Policy Debate: Lawmakers raised concerns that a full ban could increase smuggling and reduce budget revenue, with taxation discussed as an alternative approach.
Committee Decision to Revise Draft Legislation
January 14, 2026 – According to MTS, the Labor, Health, Women’s Affairs, and Social Issues Committee of the Kyrgyz Parliament (Zhogorku Kenesh) decided to withdraw two bills to allow for further revision and improvement.
Details of the Withdrawn Bills
The withdrawn legislation includes the draft law titled “On the Prohibition of the Use of Vapes in the Kyrgyz Republic,” as well as the draft law “On Amendments to Certain Legal Documents of the Kyrgyz Republic.”
Proposed Amendments to Existing Laws
The amendment bill proposes changes to the “Law on Protecting the Health of Citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic from the Effects of Tobacco, Nicotine, and Tobacco Smoke and Aerosols,” along with revisions to the “Code of Administrative Offenses of the Kyrgyz Republic.”
Plan to Incorporate Stakeholder Feedback
Committee members stated that all opinions and suggestions raised during consultations will be reviewed and incorporated before the revised drafts are resubmitted to parliament for further discussion.
Debate Over Ban Effectiveness and Taxation Options
During an earlier plenary session, members of parliament and representatives of the State Tax Service debated the effectiveness of a complete ban. Participants warned that such a ban could lead to increased smuggling and reduced government revenue, and they discussed the possibility of legalizing the trade in e-cigarettes through taxation as an alternative policy option.
