Baku: Azerbaijan has enacted a comprehensive ban on the import, production, and sale of electronic cigarettes and their components. This decision marks a significant amendment to the Law 'On Tobacco and Tobacco Products,' which has been approved by President Ilham Aliyev.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the amendment categorizes nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes as tobacco products. These products, designed for inhaling vapor into the human body, are now prohibited in various forms, including import, export, production, storage, wholesale, and retail sale. The law specifically defines electronic cigarettes as devices intended for use with or without a mouthpiece, and it excludes other products such as food, medicinal products, and medical devices. Notably, heated tobacco products are excluded from this ban as they do not produce tobacco smoke.

The new legislation aims to refine the classification of tobacco products, including heated tobacco products and electronic cigarettes, ensuring precise legal differentiation. This move is accompanied by amendments to the Tax Code and the Advertising Law of Azerbaijan, removing 'single-use electronic cigarettes' and 'liquids for electronic cigarettes' from the list of excisable goods. Consequently, related tax rates will be abolished and advertising bans will be aligned with the new definitions.

The law is set to come into effect on April 1, 2026, providing a clear timeline for the transition to the new regulatory framework.