BISHKEK — Kyrgyzstan is considering a temporary moratorium on the import, transit, and re-export of cigarettes, a move aimed at curbing the circulation of counterfeit products and enhancing tax revenue compliance.

According to Trend News Agency, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce has put forth a resolution draft for public discussion that outlines a proposed six-month ban. The document cites the initiative's primary goals as protecting the health of Kyrgyz citizens by limiting access to counterfeit and uncertified cigarettes, as well as intensifying the fight against cigarette smuggling.

The tax service reported that during 2023, authorities confiscated 65,231 packs of cigarettes from illegal circulation. These actions underscore the significant challenge posed by the illicit cigarette market, which accounted for 17.7 percent of all cigarettes in the country last year. The counterfeit cigarettes, carrying brands such as Oris, Mondeo, Like, and Madrid, were predominantly manufactured in third countries, including Serbia and the United Arab Emirates.

The proposed measures are expected to not only shield the public from health risks associated with unregulated tobacco products but also to secure the state budget’s projected tax revenues from this sector.