Belarus Drafts Bill to Regulate Vapes & Nicotine Products
Belarus is currently finalizing a new bill aimed at regulating the circulation of tobacco raw materials, tobacco and non-tobacco nicotine-containing products, and electronic smoking systems (vapes). The draft law, which underwent public discussion in the summer, is now being reviewed by experts before its first reading in the House of Representatives. The primary goal is to address the growing popularity of vaping, particularly among children and teenagers, and to close regulatory gaps that have allowed a shadow market to flourish.
Elena Khilya, a member of the House of Representatives involved in drafting the bill, explained that while some parents and citizens have called for a total ban on vape sales, the working group considers such radical measures inappropriate as they could fuel illicit trade. Instead, the focus is on stricter state control. Key provisions of the proposed legislation include:
- Certification and Standardization: All nicotine-containing products must be certified and meet specific standards regarding nicotine concentration and ingredients to reduce potential health risks.
- Licensing and Restricted Sales: Sales will be limited to specific authorized points run by legal entities responsible for compliance. Selling vapes through messaging apps or informal channels will face tougher penalties.
- Taxation and Excise Stamps: To address lost state revenue (estimated at 130 million rubles), the bill proposes introducing excise stamps for electronic smoking systems and increasing taxes on tobacco products. Plans for the 2026 budget include raising the tobacco tax to 13% and introducing a 20% excise on vaping systems to make them less affordable.
Health experts like Sergey Tolkach from the Republican Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health warn that vapes are not a safe alternative to smoking. He highlighted the risks of EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury) and “popcorn lung” caused by chemical flavorings. He also noted that the concentrated nicotine delivery in vapes can lead to rapid physiological addiction.
Law enforcement is also stepping up efforts. Dmitry Yusko, head of the juvenile affairs inspection in Minsk, reported incidents of illegal sales to minors via messaging apps and even robberies involving vapes among teenagers. In 2024 alone, tax authorities identified over 600 violations in the turnover of nicotine products, resulting in fines totaling nearly 780,000 rubles. The new bill aims to provide a more robust legal framework to combat these issues and protect public health.
- News source: В Беларуси готовится законопроект по урегулированию оборота никотиносодержащей продукции. Что изменится?
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