Others shouldn't dictate Kazakhstan's healthcare decisions; such power should reside with us.
The State of Vaping in Kazakhstan: A Year Later
It's been a year since vaping was outlawed in Kazakhstan. But has the ban actually decreased nicotine consumption? Zakon.kz provides insights on the shifting landscape, reasons behind the ban's ineffectiveness, and Kazakhstan's stance on the global stage in tobacco control policies.
Kazakhstan follows the World Health Organization's (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), implementing anti-tobacco measures for over 15 years. These include restrictions on advertising, smoke-free zones, and campaigns to quit smoking.
Despite these efforts, the statistics are disheartening. In 2014, 22.4% of adults used tobacco, and in 2021, this figure inched down to 20.8%. Yet, the National Bureau of Statistics suggests that the prevalence of tobacco smoking among adult Kazakhstanis in 2024 was close to 20%.
The decrease in the percentage of smokers doesn't necessarily mean a reduction in the number of tobacco consumers. When recalculated in terms of raw figures, the total number of smokers in the country has actually increased, from approximately 2.8 million people in 2014 to around 2.99 million in 2024. This discrepancy is due to the significant growth in Kazakhstan's adult population during this period.
The situation hints that one-size-fits-all policies might not always work. This point was also stressed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during the XXXIV session of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, highlighting the need for Kazakhstan to stick to its strategic course amid global instability.
"We're not saying Kazakhstan has no problems. Of course, they exist, as they do in other countries. But we'll address them not according to someone else's textbooks or guidelines, but in accordance with our own legislation and national interests. I am confident that our citizens and well-intentioned international partners understand this approach," said the head of state.
Global examples might support this approach:
Japan, an FCTC participant since 2004, partially controls the tobacco industry through state ownership. Instead of imposing strict regulations, Japan focuses on harm reduction, utilizing innovative technologies and regulated markets for alternative products. This strategy led to a 30% decrease in smokers compared to 2016, by 2019.
Sweden, also a member of the FCTC, implements unique approaches that have resulted in one of Europe's lowest smoking rates. While almost half of Swedish men smoked cigarettes 60 years ago, this percentage has dropped to a mere 5.6% by 2022.
New Zealand adjusts its FCTC provisions while considering cultural and social aspects, integrating principles into its national strategy for combating tobacco use. If the prevalence of smoking was 16.4% in 2011, it has been reduced to 6.8% by 2022.
Kazakhstan has suffered consequences from decisions made without considering local realities, as seen with the introduction of a unified time zone in 2024, which resulted in thousands of complaints about sleep disturbances and stress, particularly in eastern regions.
Adaptation to local realities is evident in Indonesia's experience. After failing with universal approaches proposed by global organizations, authorities started formulating local strategies that accounted for factors such as diet, lifestyle, and medical accessibility in different regions. As a result, the country has witnessed an increase in public trust and a decrease in chronic diseases among its population.
"Public health experts should work from a perspective of individual approaches to each country to achieve global health goals," notes German political scientist Ilona Kickbusch.
Kazakhstan should consider these examples and focus on adaptation.
- The ban on vaping in Kazakhstan may not significantly decrease nicotine consumption, as seen with the persistent high rate of tobacco use.
- Science suggests that one-size-fits-all policies might not always work effectively, emphasizing the need for a tailored approach to Kazakhstan's tobacco control measures.
- Workplace-wellness initiatives could play a crucial role in reducing tobacco use, considering Kazakhstan's struggle with medical-conditions related to chronic-diseases due to smoking.
- Health-and-wellness programs should also address mental-health issues, as tobacco use often co-occurs with mental health disorders.
- Therapies-and-treatments for tobacco addiction can be part of the solution, with CBD, a non-psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant, showing promise as a potentially effective treatment.
- Migration patterns within Kazakhstan and globally could influence tobacco use, making it essential to consider these factors in policy-and-legislation regarding tobacco control.
- Education-and-self-development programs that promote personal-growth can empower individuals to make healthier choices, including quitting smoking.
- Politics, career-development, and job-search strategies should prioritize mental and physical health, as war-and-conflicts, stress, and accidents can exacerbate tobacco use.
- General-news outlets can play a role in raising awareness about the dangers of tobacco use, offering information on the latest research and policy developments.
- Crime-and-justice systems should take into account the social determinants of health, as incarceration can be a risk factor for tobacco use.
- Accidents and injuries due to smoking can lead to increased learning and skills-training needs, highlighting the need for comprehensive health and wellness initiatives.
- Sports, sports-analysis, and fitness programs can serve as alternatives to tobacco use, promoting a healthy lifestyle and overall well-being in Kazakhstan.
