According to current legislation, smoking hookah in public places is prohibited.
List of places where smoking is prohibited
a) entrances, elevators, stairwells and landings, restrooms, including common areas of apartment buildings and utility rooms of communal apartments;
b) buildings and premises of institutions related to youth, culture, and sports, social services, as well as the territories of stadiums;
c) railway and bus stations, regardless of departmental subordination;
d) buildings and premises that provide services to the public, such as hotels, household services, catering, and temporary accommodation, including non-stationary trading facilities;
e) premises occupied by government bodies and local authorities;
f) public places, except for specially designated smoking areas;
2) in workplaces and work zones;
3) in fire-prone areas, including gas stations;
4) in catering establishments located indoors;
5) in public transport, including taxis, water and air vehicles, as well as trains;
6) in educational institutions and on playgrounds;
7) in medical institutions;
8) in buildings providing rehabilitation and resort services;
9) in trading areas and covered markets;
10) at public transport stops;
11) in open areas during cultural and sports events, as well as within beach territories, except for places specifically designated for smoking.
The Ministry points out that despite the existing ban, many hookah lounges operate illegally: there are at least 33 such establishments in Bishkek, and consumer interest in hookah services remains high.
“<...> there exists a shadow market for hookah services, which continues to function due to stable demand, but outside the legal framework, taxation, and sanitary control,” the Ministry of Economy added.
In light of this situation, the ministry has put forward the following proposals:
• allow hookah smoking in licensed specialized establishments;
• include hookah services in the list of licensed activities;
• establish requirements for premises (separate halls, ventilation systems, sanitary standards);
• create a mandatory register of hookah establishments.
The ban on hookah smoking in public places was established by the KR law dated September 15, 2021, No. 121 "On the Protection of Citizens' Health in the KR from the Consequences of Tobacco, Nicotine Consumption, and Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke and Aerosol."
