Kyrgyzstan Adopts New Measures to Protect Young People from E-cigarette Epidemic 

Washington, D.C. – The president of the Kyrgyz Republic signed into law new measures that will protect millions of young people from addiction to tobacco and nicotine. The new law will prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes throughout the country and strengthen the country’s current smoke-free law by prohibiting the use of e-cigarettes in smoke-free environments. It is set to be enforced beginning in July 2025. 

For years, tobacco and e-cigarette companies have aggressively targeted young people with e-cigarette marketing campaigns designed to make addictive products seem cool. Around the world, these products are sold in thousands of kid-friendly flavors and marketed on social media, making it crystal clear that the target market for e-cigarettes is young people. 

According to the World Health Organization, young people who use e-cigarettes are nearly three times as likely to take up smoking cigarettes. E-cigarettes contain nicotine – some in extremely high levels - which is highly addictive and harmful to young people.  

Kyrgyzstan joins more than two dozen countries that have banned the sale of e-cigarettes. Many more strictly regulate the products including through smoke-free laws, marketing restrictions and by requiring health warnings, content regulation and increased taxes. 

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids supports countries around the world in taking strong action to prevent e-cigarettes from being used by young people and commends the Kyrgyz Republic for its new law that will save youth from lifelong addiction.