Liability has been established for the circulation of electronic cigarettes

This restriction has been widely discussed on social media, and many users did not believe it.

The Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. ZRU–1098 dated November 27, 2025, introduced amendments and additions to a number of legislative acts, strengthening the regulation of the circulation of tobacco products and electronic nicotine delivery systems (including e-cigarettes).

According to the amendments to the Criminal Code, in the case of illegal circulation on the territory of Uzbekistan of prohibited tobacco products, electronic nicotine delivery systems, including e-cigarettes — their production, acquisition, storage, transportation, manufacturing, import into Uzbekistan, or export from it — if such actions are committed in large quantities or after the application of administrative penalties, the following penalties are provided: a fine ranging from 300 to 500 times the basic calculation amount (BCA), corrective labor for 2 to 3 years, restriction of liberty for 3 to 5 years, or imprisonment for 3 to 5 years.

At the same time, if a person voluntarily admits their guilt to the authorities and surrenders the prohibited products, they are exempt from criminal liability.

In addition, the Law “On the restriction of the distribution and consumption of alcoholic and tobacco products” establishes prohibitive regulation for the circulation of e-cigarettes and liquids for them.

Criminal liability applies to: the production of e-cigarette devices (vapes), nicotine liquids, or other nicotine delivery systems, their sale and distribution, storage, transportation, export/import, as well as possession, purchase, or solicitation of such products. If these actions are carried out in large quantities or repeated after administrative penalties, criminal liability applies.

The types of penalties are as follows: a fine — from 300 to 500 times the BCA, corrective labor — 2 to 3 years, restriction of liberty — 3 to 5 years, imprisonment — 3 to 5 years.

A person may be exempt from liability if they voluntarily admit their guilt and surrender the prohibited products to the authorities.

The law was approved by the Senate in April 2025, officially signed on November 27, and entered into force. At the same time, the restrictions currently do not apply to certain types of nicotine products, such as “heated tobacco systems.”