Alternative tobacco and nicotine products in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan: A small group of deputies has proposed a reduction in the excise tax rates on heated tobacco products, media reports. However, deputy economy minister Azamat Amrin and health ministry representative Gulnara Sarsenbayeva are both reportedly opposed to the proposal.

Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU): Following a decision by the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission, up to 200 heated tobacco consumables can be imported duty-free into the EAEU – the economic union of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia – for personal use. This will apply from 8th October to over-21s entering Kazakhstan and to over-18s in the other EAEU member states.

Kazakhstan: President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a bill to introduce changes to the Tax Code, media reports. The tax rate for heated tobacco will change to KZT9,870 ($20.75) per 1,000 pieces on 1st January 2023 and to KZT11,130 ($23.40) per 1,000 pieces on 1st January 2024.

Kazakhstan: Jamilya Sadykova, leader of the national coalition “For a Smoke-Free Kazakhstan”, is suing Philip Morris Kazakhstan over sponsorship and inappropriate advertising of heated tobacco, media reports. The Special Economic Court of the Almaty Region has reportedly accepted the claim against the Iqos manufacturer.

Kazakhstan: The Senate, the upper chamber of Parliament, has approved a bill to introduce changes to the Tax Code, media reports. It would increase the tax rate on heated tobacco to KZT12,925 ($2.50) per kg from 1st January 2023 with a gradual increase to follow over the next ten years. The bill will now be sent to president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for signature.

Kazakhstan: The concept of harm reduction, as well as the regulation of new nicotine products, has been discussed at the first Eurasian nicotine forum in the capital, Nur-Sultan, media reports. The forum was attended by scientists, doctors, representatives of leading tobacco firms and interest groups.

Kazakhstan: The organisation League of Consumers of Kazakhstan has launched an online petition against a sharp increase in excise taxes on heated tobacco. It comes in response to the recent adoption at its second reading in the Mazhilis, the lower house of parliament, of a bill to increase the tax rate to KZT 12,925 ($29) per kg from 1st January 2023, with a further gradual increase over the next ten years. The bill is now to be sent to the Senate for further procedure.

Kazakhstan: The leader of the anti-tobacco movement in Kazakhstan, Jamilya Sadykova, says the excise tax on heated tobacco consumables should be equivalent to that on combustible cigarettes, media reports. She says the rate for heated tobacco should be based on the number of pieces, not the weight of tobacco.