Azerbaijan’s tobacco products market is on the verge of a radical change. A new draft law that passed the first reading in the National Assembly envisages a complete ban on electronic cigarettes (vapes) in the country. If the document finds final approval, everything from the import and sale to even the use of these devices will be considered illegal starting from April 1, 2026.
The proposed changes target not only nicotine liquids but all components of electronic cigarettes – vials, cartridges, and even nicotine-free variants. Interestingly, the draft law excludes “heated tobacco products” (e.g., IQOS) from this ban and recognizes them as a separate category. Advertising legislation will also take its share from this wave; the promotion of nicotine-free products will now be strictly prohibited.
Public reaction: questions and concerns
Although the decision is presented on an official level as a step taken for the sake of health, serious questions have arisen among the public and experts. The main wave of criticism is concentrated on the following points:
- The thesis “it is being banned in the world,” which is frequently voiced in official arguments, clashes with statistics. Developed countries such as the USA, the UK, and Germany have chosen the path of strict quality control and age restrictions, not the path of prohibition.
- It is not just about the users. Hundreds of small and medium entrepreneurs and thousands of workers operating in this field are facing the threat of unemployment and bankruptcy.
- The main dilemma is that thousands of people who see the electronic cigarette as a means to quit ordinary tobacco may return to traditional cigarettes after the ban. This creates a picture that contradicts the “harm reduction” strategy.
