Introduction:
In Kazakhstan Article 8 WHO FCTC requirements were adopted only partially in 2009, as smoking is still allowed in designated smoking rooms (DSRs) inside ‘public eating places’ (PEP), while other public places must be fully smoke-free. The study aims to evaluate compliance to smoke-free law by comparing observational data from 2013 and 2017 in public eating places of Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Methods:
Public places of Almaty were visited, and data were collected through direct observations and focused interviews, using the guide ‘Assessing compliance with smoke-free law’[1]. Non-compliance was defined by a positive response on smoking inside premises, the presence of cigarette butts, ashtrays, and smoking hall.

Results:
A total of 1095 places were visited: 651 public places in 2013, and 444 in 2017. According to the observations in 2013, 66% of public places allowed smoking inside while in 2017 this significantly increased up to 88.4%. Also in 2017, every second place offered shisha (53%), while in 2013, the rate was 16.4%. DSRs have implemented only in 2% PEPs in 2013 while in 2017 it was already 11%. Smoking halls, which were absent in 2013, increased by 10.3% in 2017, unlike ashtray data which stayed stable (26% in 2013 and 20% in 2017).

Conclusion:
Violations of the smoking ban increased significantly in 2017 from 2013 in public eating places, and DSRs are established in a low number of PEPs. There is a need to harmonize local law to WHO FCTC provisions, strengthen the enforcement tool such as increasing penalties in hospitality establishments.