Deputies approved in the second and third readings amendments to the Law «On protection of health of citizens of Kyrgyzstan from the consequences of tobacco consumption, nicotine and exposure to ambient tobacco smoke and aerosol», the Code of Offenses and the Criminal Code.
During the discussion, deputies Dastan Bekeshev and Elvira Surabaldieva spoke out against high fines for using electronic cigarettes.
«Only policemen will benefit from the law, if they see a smoking teenager, they will take a bribe to turn a blind eye to it. I am against the bill, because if we ban the import of electronic cigarettes, smuggling will increase,» Dastan Bekeshev said.
The author of the bill, deputy Shairbek Tashiev, responded that at the request of his colleagues they reduced fines for use of vape devices for individuals from 40,000 to 10,000 soms.
«The bill is aimed at preserving the health of the future generation, do not focus on fines,» he asked his colleague.
MP Elvira Surabaldieva also spoke against high fines. She asked the initiators of the bill to reduce the size of fines to 5,000 soms.
«If teenagers from low-income families are fined, they may take a desperate step and commit suicide, for example,» she said.
Nevertheless, the bill was passed by the Parliament in its second and third readings.
