Number of Kazakhs Officially Prohibited from Consuming Alcohol
In a bold move towards stricter law enforcement and social control, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has officially banned 11,000 Kazakhstanis from consuming alcohol [1]. This announcement was made during a meeting in July 2025, where the Prime Minister emphasised the importance of addressing alcohol-related issues as part of broader crime prevention efforts.
The Kazakhstani Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) is taking significant steps to strengthen control over alcohol sales. The focus is on enhancing mechanisms to detect and block violations, as evidenced by the identification of 7,000 violations in alcohol circulation in the first half of 2025 [1]. The MVD is also working to address public drinking and improve regulatory enforcement, with a recorded 107,000 instances of drinking alcohol in public places during the same period [1].
The MVD's proposed measures for alcohol sales control include tightening requirements for license issuance, limiting operating hours for alcohol sales, and allowing alcohol sales only in specialized stores [1]. The MVD has not specified the proposed operating hours for alcohol sales in specialized stores, but has disclosed that 402 settlements in Kazakhstan have declared themselves alcohol-free [1].
In addition to these measures, the MVD is taking action against businesses that continue to sell alcohol despite having their licenses revoked. Some of these businesses have been found to operate under the guise of 24-hour bars, while others have been discovered to obtain new licenses through proxy entities [1]. This year, Kazakhstani police have prevented 7,000 violations in the alcohol trade sector, and have fined businesses 370 million tenge for violations [1].
Erjan Sadenov, the head of the MVD, stated that 107,000 incidents of alcohol consumption in public places have been prevented nationwide [1]. However, no new total number of individuals issued a ban on alcohol consumption has been disclosed.
In summary, Kazakhstan is taking a firm stance against alcohol consumption and sales as part of its broader crime prevention efforts. The MVD is proposing to strengthen control by improving detection of violations, blocking illegal sales, and enforcing bans on consumption, with a focus on tightening requirements for license issuance, limiting operating hours, and allowing alcohol sales only in specialized stores [1]. The MVD's actions are aimed at creating a safer and healthier environment for all Kazakhstanis.
The Kazakhstani Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) is also considering expanding their efforts to the health-and-wellness sector, specifically addressing mental health, by introducing programs that aim to reduce alcohol-related mental health issues.
With the increasing focus on public health and wellness, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov may soon announce a nationwide mental health initiative, encouraging Kazakhstanis to seek help for alcohol-related mental health issues and promoting healthier lifestyle choices in the realm of science and mental health.
