The sale, display, demonstration and advertising of tobacco products are prohibited and entail a fine
The Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan recalls that from July 1, 2021, subparagraph 16) of paragraph 2 of Article 110 of the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On the Health of the people and the healthcare system" on the prohibition of the sale of tobacco products, including products with heated tobacco, hookah tobacco, hookah mixture, systems for heating tobacco, electronic consumption systems and liquids for them (tobacco products) with their display and open demonstration came into force.
At the same time, according to the incoming information, these norms of legislation are systematically violated in retail chains.
In this connection, the Ministry of Trade sent a letter to akimats, as well as to the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan "Atameken", the Union of Retail Chains, associations of retail enterprises and minimarkets about the need to bring explanatory information to the attention of the subjects of trade activities, as well as take the necessary measures to prevent violations of the law when laying out and selling tobacco products.
At the same time, we additionally clarify that information about tobacco products is brought to the attention of buyers by placing a list of products sold, the text of which is made in letters of the same size in black on a white background with a size of no more than 40x30 centimeters per place of trade and which is compiled in alphabetical order, indicating the price of tobacco products sold without the use of any graphic images and drawings.
Demonstration of tobacco products to the buyer in a retail facility can be carried out at his request after familiarization with the list of tobacco products sold.
We also note that for violating the requirements of the legislation on information, on tobacco and tobacco products and on the sale of tobacco and tobacco products, as well as on the production, sale and distribution of goods imitating tobacco products, including products with heated tobacco, administrative liability is provided under Articles 198 and 199 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Administrative Code).
At the same time, consideration of cases under Article 198 of the Administrative Code falls within the competence of internal affairs bodies, under Article 199 - within the competence of local executive bodies of the region, city of republican significance, capital, district, city of regional significance.
Penalties for violation of Article 198 range from 10 to 100 monthly calculation indices (MCI), depending on the form of the business entity and the repetition of violations, and from 15 to 120 MCI – for violation of Article 199.
Press service of the MTI RK