Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis are considering a draft law “On limiting the distribution and consumption of alcohol and tobacco products”.

The faction of the People’s Democratic Party of Uzbekistan considered this document.

The deputies noted that despite the fact that a number of normative legal acts have been adopted in the field of limiting the distribution and use of such products, the state of their implementation in practice remains unsatisfactory.

In addition, due to the weakness of the organizational and legal mechanisms and the presence of gaps in the current legislative acts, including the failure to establish specific tasks of the authorized bodies in the field of control, as well as the responsibilities of persons responsible for creating a smoke-free environment in public places, there remains a low level of compliance with the rules and restrictions established by applicable law. In addition, the current legislation does not reflect the regulation of the turnover of modern tobacco products. And this opens up a wide road for the spread of the use of such products among the population, especially among young people.

In connection with the above and a number of other shortcomings, there is an urgent need to revise and bring into conformity the norms established by decrees and resolutions of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the field of production and sale of alcohol and tobacco products. So, it is advisable to study foreign and national legislation regulating the restriction of the distribution and use of alcohol and tobacco products, to clearly define all the norms in this area in a single legislative act.

As emphasized, the proposed draft law provides for the improvement of organizational and legal mechanisms for limiting the distribution and consumption of alcohol and tobacco products. In particular, electronic nicotine delivery systems, nicotine liquids, tobacco products, tobacco heating systems, appliances for the consumption of tobacco and nicotine (including hookahs) are treated as tobacco products and are expected to be subject to all restrictions on tobacco products. Also, the list of authorized state bodies is expanding, their powers and duties, rights and obligations of citizens are determined.

Along with this, the bill defines a clear list of public places in which the use of alcohol and tobacco is prohibited, introduces minimum requirements for special places for smoking, and appoints persons responsible for compliance with the established rules.

As a result of the adoption of this law, the mechanisms for regulating activities to limit the distribution and consumption of alcohol and tobacco products will be improved, the deputies noted.