Foreigner sentenced to one year in prison in Kazakhstan for vapes

Tengrinews.kz – A foreigner who was detained for importing vapes into Kazakhstan has been convicted in the Mangistau region, according to the regional prosecutor's office.
At the border post, during an inspection, 4550 vapes of the "WAKAsoPro20000" brand were found in the trunk of his car.

"The Beineu District Court found a foreign citizen guilty under Part 2 of Article 301-1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan for importing electronic consumption systems (vapes) into the country and sentenced him to 1 year in prison," the report says.

According to the court decision that has entered into legal force, the seized goods are subject to destruction.
The information explains that Article 301-1 of the Criminal Code provides for liability for the circulation of smokeless tobacco products, electronic consumption systems, flavorings and liquids for them. Depending on the severity of the offense, the punishment may include a fine, correctional labor, arrest, restriction or imprisonment for up to two years.
Recall: On April 19, 2024, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed the law "On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Healthcare Issues."
The law establishes a ban on the sale, distribution of smokeless tobacco products, vapes, flavorings and liquids for them, as well as their advertising.
The amendments ban vapes (or so-called "disposables"), liquids for them, as well as tobacco for sucking, chewing and sniffing (snus) in Kazakhstan.
Earlier, another foreigner detained on the Kazakh-Chinese border with a batch of electronic vapes was convicted in the Zhetysu region.