Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on August 23, 2006.

Smoke Free Places

Indoor workplaces, indoor public places, and public transport are smoke free, except for airports, which may have a designated smoking room. Some outdoor areas are smoke free, including fire hazardous places, such as gas stations, children’s play areas, and public transport stops. In addition, smoking is restricted to designated smoking areas in open areas during cultural and sports events, meetings, actions, and within the boundaries of beaches.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship

There is a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising and promotion. Financial and other tobacco sponsorship is prohibited, with the exception of corporate social responsibility campaigns. However, publicity about corporate social responsibility campaigns is prohibited.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling

For smoked tobacco products, picture and text warnings must cover at least 50 percent of the front and back of the package, and a text warning on contents and emissions must cover 17 percent of the side of the package. There are 12 warnings in total; however, the law does not expressly state that these warnings must be rotated. Smokeless tobacco products except naswar are banned. Packaging of naswar must contain a single text warning occupying at least 65 percent of the two main sides of the package, and a qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions message on 17 percent of the side of the package. Misleading packaging and labeling, including terms such as "low tar," "light," "very light," "mild," "extra," and "ultra" and other signs, is prohibited.

Cigarette Contents and Disclosures

The law regulates specified contents of cigarettes, including banning mint, some herbs, and other flavorings. Manufacturers and importers are required to disclose to government authorities information on the contents and emissions of their products.

Sales Restrictions

The law prohibits the sale of single cigarettes and packages of fewer than 20 cigarettes; the sale of tobacco products by vending machine; the sale of smokeless tobacco products except naswar; and the sale of tobacco products in schools/education facilities, playgrounds, stadiums and arenas, healthcare facilities, cultural facilities, and other specified locations. The sale of tobacco products is prohibited to persons under the age of 18.

E-Cigarettes

The sale of e-cigarettes is allowed, and they are regulated like tobacco products. The use of e-cigarettes is prohibited in indoor public places, indoor workplaces, and public transport (except in designated smoking rooms in airports). Advertising, promotion, and sponsorship of e-cigarettes are prohibited. Point of sale product display is prohibited. Health warnings are required on e-cigarettes, and product packaging may not contain statements that the risk of disease is reduced relative to tobacco products. Sales by vending machine are prohibited and e-cigarettes sales are prohibited in all places where cigarette sales are prohibited.

Roadmap to Tobacco Control Legislation

Law No. 121 on the Protection of Health of the Citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic from the Effects of Tobacco and Nicotine Consumption and from Exposure to Ambient Tobacco Smoke and Aerosol is the primary piece of tobacco control legislation. It governs, among other things, smoking in public places; advertising, promotion and sponsorship; packaging and labeling of naswar (a smokeless tobacco product); sales restrictions; and e-cigarettes. It also adopts the rules established by Technical Regulations on Tobacco Products (TR CU 035/2014), which govern tobacco packaging and labeling, contents and emissions, and disclosure. Decision No. 18 of the Eurasian Economic Commission implements paragraph 27 of the Technical Regulations for Tobacco Products and regulates the format and position of picture and text warnings, as well as the images to be used, on tobacco product packaging. Penalties for violations of tobacco control provisions are set out in the Code on Offenses.

Review Status

This country’s legal measures were reviewed by our legal staff. No in-country lawyers or tobacco control experts reviewed our analysis.