Uzbekistan’s upper chamber (Senate) on December 27 endorsed the new edition of the law on restricting the distribution and consumption of alcohol and tobacco products, Fergana news agency reported on December 28, citing the Senate’s press center.
The law reportedly prohibits citizens under the age of 21 (now under age of 20) from selling and buying alcohol and tobacco products, as well as devices for the consumption of tobacco and nicotine.
Such products cannot be sold without the direct participation of the seller, including through vending machines, from self-service shelves, and in the form of e-commerce (with the exception of sparking and natural wines), Gazeta.uz adds.
Alcoholic and tobacco products as well as devices for the consumption of tobacco and nicotine cannot be sold in the territories of medical, educational, sports and cultural facilities as well as sanatorium-resort and medical-social institutions.
The law in new edition also significantly expanded the list of public places where the consumption of alcohol and tobacco products is prohibited.
In particular, it is forbidden to smoke in cars, in the presence of children and pregnant women, outdoors at a distance of less than 15 meters from the entrances to airports, railway stations, bus terminals, river ports and subway stations, in the entrances and elevators of apartment buildings, at children's and sports grounds, including those located in apartment buildings adjoining areas, as well as in shops and service-providing facilities.
