On 1 December, amendments to the Law “On protecting the health of citizens from the effects of tobacco smoke and the consequences of tobacco product consumption” came into force in Turkmenistan, reports turkmenportal.
The changes concern the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products. In accordance with the amendments, the sale of tobacco products to persons under the age of 21 will be prohibited in the country. In addition, the Law notes that in places where tobacco products are sold, signs must be installed indicating that the sale of tobacco products to persons under the age of 21 is prohibited.
The seller may ask the buyer for a passport or equivalent document to determine the true age. If the buyer cannot confirm his age, the seller will have to refuse the sale of tobacco products.
Furthermore, in accordance with the new Law “On Amendments and Additions to the Tax Code of Turkmenistan”, from January 1, 2023, the excise rates for tobacco products imported into the country have been changed.
For tobacco products, excise taxes were increased from 93 per cent of the customs value, but not less than USD 4 per 1 pack, to 116 per cent of the customs value, but not less than USD 5 per 1 pack. For other manufactured tobacco products and industrial tobacco substitutes, they increased from USD 19.5 per 1 kg to USD 24.4, the report said.