The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis approved, during its session on January 24th, a bill envisaging a complete ban on electronic cigarettes on the third reading was adopted.
During the session, a bill aimed at further strengthening the requirements related to the circulation of certain types of tobacco products, devices for consuming tobacco and nicotine, was considered article by article in the second reading.
This bill prohibits the circulation (production, preparation, storage, transportation, transfer, import, and export to the territory of Uzbekistan) of devices for consuming nicotine, including electronic cigarettes and their liquids in Uzbekistan.
Furthermore, liability is being established for violations related to the illegal circulation of non-smokable tobacco products, devices for consuming nicotine, including electronic cigarettes.
It was noted during the session that the process of preparing the bill for the second reading was improved in terms of its norms based on the proposals made by deputies through the efforts of the responsible committee, and the text of the project was brought to perfection. The adoption of this bill will serve to further protect the life and health of the population, preserve the nation's gene pool, and protect the environment from new types of tobacco and nicotine products.
Experts believe that in addition to nicotine, electronic cigarettes contain 80 kinds of chemical compounds and heavy metals that are carcinogenic, toxic, and pose a serious risk to human health and the environment. In particular, they can lead to an increase in nicotine dependence, as well as hinder the development of the brain, intellect, knowledge, and skills in children and adolescents.
Deputy Alisher Qodirov had said that if action is not taken now, no law will be able to help after 20 years.
“Primarily, adults consume alcohol or natural tobacco, having made their choice, but electronic cigarettes are spreading widely among school students or children under the age of 30. Two out of three consumers are young people. Half of them are girls. Youth and, of course, our people will not be able to escape the future damage of this calamity”, the deputy said.
The National Revival Party had already proposed to restrict electronic cigarettes in 2021.
“Given that electronic cigarettes are banned in 32 countries around the world, why should we not impose a ban? Experts are saying it has a serious effect on the gene pool. Our party has also been raising this issue regularly”, Alisher Qodirov had said.
