Erbil authorities destroy over 26,000 seized e-cigarettes in crackdown

ERBIL — In a significant move against the sale and distribution of electronic cigarettes, Erbil authorities have destroyed over 26,000 vapes recently confiscated as part of an ongoing crackdown. Nabaz Abdulhamid, Mayor of Erbil Central District, detailed the enforcement actions during a Monday press conference, highlighting the increasing presence of e-cigarettes in primary schools as a major concern.

“To address these concerns, we established a special committee following directives from the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministries of Health and Trade,” Abdulhamid explained. “This committee has successfully seized 26,000 electronic cigarettes.”

The crackdown has resulted in the closure of eight e-cigarette outlets, with further warnings issued to those continuing to flout the law. “Shop owners who persist in defying these rules will be prosecuted,” the mayor emphasized.

The debate over e-cigarettes is complex. They deliver nicotine through vapor—an approach seen as less harmful than traditional smoking, which is linked to severe health issues including cancer, heart disease, and respiratory problems. Some research, such as a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, suggests they may help smokers quit more effectively than other nicotine replacement therapies. However, global health bodies like the WHO caution against their potential to introduce non-smokers, particularly young people, to nicotine addiction, leading to varied regulatory responses worldwide.

Tobacco smoking remains widespread in the Kurdistan Region, where nearly a quarter of adults are smokers according to some statistics. The region faces challenges with cigarettes being widely available, minimally taxed, and produced under minimal regulation. A study found that nearly 22% of adolescents attending secondary school in Sulaymaniyah smoked some form of tobacco.

In January, the KRG issued a comprehensive ban on the import and sale of vapes and e-cigarettes, citing ‘public health concerns’. Investigations indicate that many vapes are smuggled into Erbil from Sulaymaniyah, often sold without proper regulation. “We are working diligently to address this issue comprehensively,” Abdulhamid stated, noting that confiscated items were often found in inappropriate public places like parks and streets.

With vape shops closed down, many vendors resort to word of mouth to sell e-cigarettes by phone, with taxies and couriers delivering contraband vapes to customers.

Abdulhamid said, “E-cigarettes pose significant risks, and we are fully committed to eliminating them. We will be increasing inspections and closely monitoring both physical and online sales.”