President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov demanded to strengthen the fight against the illegal import of tobacco products, components and mixtures for hookah, electronic cigarettes, illegal trade in them and their use at a meeting of the State Security Council held today, the information program "Watan" of the Turkmen television reported.

At the meeting of the Security Council, the Minister of Internal Affairs Muhammet Hydyrov announced the results of organized activities at the checkpoints of the state border and data on seized products smuggled into the territory of Turkmenistan. As reported, relevant measures were taken against citizens who committed unlawful acts in accordance with national legislation.

Having listened to the information, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan noted the need for an uncompromising fight against the illegal import of tobacco products, components and mixtures for hookah, electronic cigarettes into the country, illegal trade in them and their use.

“Our state is striving to contribute to the expansion of tobacco-free territories in the world. Thanks to the ongoing state policy, a broad anti-tobacco movement has been launched, which has received an unprecedented scale,” the head of state emphasized.

In this context, special emphasis was placed on the importance of taking practical steps to eradicate such harmful habits as smoking in the Turkmen society.

“We should strengthen the work aimed at the complete elimination of illicit trade in tobacco products, exercise strict control over the supply chain, apply preventive legal measures,” President Serdar Berdimuhamedov ordered, instructing the minister, together with the relevant military and law enforcement agencies, to continue to conduct coordinated activities to counter the spread , use and import of these products.

The fight against smoking in Turkmenistan began in 1998 with a ban on advertising of tobacco products. After that, smoking was banned in the country's universities. In 2000, smoking was banned in public places, on the streets, in administrative buildings and military installations, and two years later a smoking ban was introduced for drivers of vehicles.

Turkmenistan joined the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in the spring of 2011, and six months later the President of the country signed the first Resolution "On Approval of the Action Plan for Tobacco Control in Turkmenistan for 2012-2016". In April 2017, the head of state approved the National Program for the Implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in Turkmenistan for 2017-2021. And last year, the National Program was approved, according to which Turkmenistan should become a tobacco-free country by 2025.