Russia Considers Regional Vape Bans in 5-Year Experiment from 2027
On May 14, the State Duma Committee on Economic Policy advanced critical amendments empowering Russian regions to ban the retail sale of vapes. This legislative shift, embedded within a broader government bill on tobacco and nicotine licensing, initiates a five-year experiment to evaluate the economic and social impacts of a potential nationwide prohibition.
The provision for a temporary retail ban emerged as an amendment to a comprehensive bill designed to bring the tobacco and nicotine trade out of the shadow economy. While the production, export, and import of tobacco products have required licenses since 2024, retail sales of cigarettes and vapes previously lacked such oversight.
Under the new amendments, regional authorities will have the right to prohibit vape trading within their territories from 2027 to 2032. Following this period, federal authorities will assess changes in tax revenue and public response to determine if the ban should be extended across the entire Russian Federation.
Despite committee support, the logistical execution of the ban has raised parliamentary concerns. First Deputy Chairman Nadezhda Shkolkina questioned how regions will prevent cross-border purchases from neighboring areas where vapes remain legal. Conversely, MP Yaroslav Nilov, who previously co-authored a rejected total ban, welcomed the regional experiment but maintained that a radical, federal-level prohibition is the only definitive solution.
Beyond vaping, the amendments overhaul regulations regarding the sale of tobacco near educational institutions. Lawmakers noted that the existing 100-meter straight-line radius rule has proven difficult to enforce due to ambiguous measurement practices.
| Regulatory Aspect | Current Framework | New Amendment |
|---|---|---|
| School Proximity Limits | Strict 100-meter straight-line radius. | Municipalities define boundaries based on unified federal guidelines. |
| Penalty for Violation | Administrative fines. | Complete revocation of the tobacco retail license. |
To ensure transparency, regions must establish procedures to inform entrepreneurs if their stores fall within restricted zones within three months of the law taking effect. Deputy Finance Minister Alexei Sazanov assured that this localized approach mirrors existing successful practices in the alcohol market, minimizing potential implementation issues.
- Read more: Russia May Allow Regional Vape Sales Bans by Sept 2026
- News source: Регионы могут запретить продажу вейпов с 2027 года
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