Official imports of shisha tobacco in Kazakhstan have increased more than 12-fold over the past two years. Against this backdrop, business representatives and community activists continue to debate the current ban on smoking shisha in public catering establishments and are proposing various approaches to regulating the market.
WHAT THE STATISTICS SHOWED
According to Informburo.kz, over the last two years, the volume of official imports of shisha tobacco has grown more than 12-fold, and excise tax revenues have increased nearly 8-fold.
The National Chamber of Entrepreneurs (NCE) 'Atameken' believes that demand for shisha products persists despite the current ban. It is noted that this is one of the reasons for the ongoing debate on market regulation.
WHAT PROPOSALS BUSINESS IS PUTTING FORWARD
Representatives of the restaurant industry believe that the current ban has not solved the problem but has driven part of the market into the unofficial sector. In their view, legalisation and licensing of activities would allow for the establishment of uniform requirements for market participants.
President of the National Association of Restaurant and Hotel Industry Enterprises 'Horeca Kazakhstan' Igor Kopailov proposed licensing shisha activities, using only certified tobacco, and requiring establishments to carry out sanitary treatment of shisha pipes. According to his estimates, budget revenues could amount to around 50 billion tenge.
Managing Director – Director of the Department for Regional Development, Small and Medium Enterprises of the NCE 'Atameken' Xenia Semenchuk noted that shisha mixtures continue to be imported and used in the country, and that conducting raids and applying fines, in her words, create preconditions for corruption risks.
WHAT ARGUMENTS OPPONENTS OF LEGALISATION ARE MAKING
Supporters of the current restrictions oppose revising the ban. They remind of the health risks associated with smoking shisha.
Mazhilis deputy Yekaterina Smyshlyaeva stated that there is scientifically confirmed data on the short-term and long-term harm of shisha to human health. It is noted that shisha smoke can negatively affect not only smokers but also those around them.
WHAT IS THE CURRENT STATUS
Currently, smoking shisha is banned in cafes, restaurants, bars, clubs, and other public places.
At the same time, at the end of last year, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Sanzhar Adilov reported that the issue of possibly easing the current restrictions is being discussed in interdepartmental working groups of the Government and legislative bodies.
Earlier, Minister of Health Akmaraal Alnazarova reported that the government is considering the possibility of easing the ban on smoking shisha in public places. According to her, a final decision on this matter has not yet been made, as the opinions of discussion participants are divided. She also emphasised that reviewing enforcement mechanisms is part of international practice.
