Kazakhstan Keeps Public Hookah Ban After Legalization Debate
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Kazakhstan’s government has decided that legalizing hookahs would be inadvisable, Orda.kz reports, citing public health activists who have opposed changing the current restrictions for the past two years.
Earlier, Orda.kz reported that Kazakhstan was once again considering the possibility of legalizing hookahs. Supporters of the initiative pointed to potential tax revenue and the need to bring the industry out of the informal economy. Medical professionals and public organizations opposed the proposal, warning of public health risks and a possible increase in tobacco consumption.
According to the activists, the government reviewed an appeal from a group of lawmakers on July 14 and declined to support the initiative. They said the decision left the current ban unchanged.
The activists noted that supporters of legalization had referred to its potential economic benefits. Finance Minister Madi Takiyev, in particular, had discussed possible additional budget revenue. However, the activists said no convincing calculations were presented to support the estimates.
They also said journalistic investigations had raised questions about previously cited figures for the number of hookah establishments and people employed in the industry.
Journalists examined claims that there were 22,000 hookah establishments in the country and tens of thousands of people working in the industry. After the investigations were published, even representatives of the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs did not confirm these figures. Support from certain representatives of the Presidential Administration also helped ensure that public health remained the priority over commercial interests,the activists wrote.
The activists said they now considered the matter closed. However, they intend to participate in future discussions if similar legislative proposals are introduced.
Original author: Daria Malkova
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