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Tengrinews.kz – A Kazakh MP has accused the Ministry of Health of failing to enforce the country’s energy drink regulations, despite a law tightening sales rules being adopted more than a year ago.
In a parliamentary inquiry addressed to Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova, Majilis deputy Yelnur Beisenbayev highlighted that although the law was passed in summer 2024, its penalties only came into force last week, leaving the restrictions essentially unenforced for a year and a half.
What the law changed
The 2024 amendments banned:
- sales of energy drinks to anyone under 21;
- disguising energy drinks as regular soft beverages;
- placing them on shelves alongside other drinks.
Producers were also required to introduce clear labelling, and retailers had to display energy drinks separately.
What went wrong
Beisenbayev noted that ministries publicly promised penalties would take effect on 1 January 2025 — the same day as the law itself. However, amendments to the Administrative Code were delayed until this month.
“As a result, a law designed to protect the health of our youth did not function fully for a year and a half,” he said.
Stores continued selling energy drinks as usual, while inspectors were unable to fine violators due to the absence of enforcement mechanisms.
The MP suggested the situation raises concerns about “executive discipline” and possible lobbying by market players. He also warned about the health risks for teenagers: energy drinks can harm the nervous system, cause insomnia, irritability and dependence.
Beisenbayev compared the issue to prolonged gaps in the enforcement of hookah regulations, saying it reinforces fears of resistance from businesses.
What the MP is demanding
Beisenbayev called on the Health Ministry to:
- explain the 18-month delay in introducing penalties;
- clarify why enforcement was not ensured from 1 January 2025 despite earlier promises;
- report what disciplinary measures will be taken against responsible officials;
- specify deadlines for drafting full regulatory oversight of the energy drink market.
Kazakhstan first discussed raising the minimum age for energy drink purchases to 21 in March 2024. The ban was adopted in June and signed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in July of the same year.
