Russia to Allow Regional Vape Bans and Mandate Licensing by October 2026
The Russian State Duma has passed a sweeping bill in its second and third readings to mandate licensing for all tobacco and nicotine products starting October 1, 2026. This legislative shift occurs amid a massive national crackdown on illicit tobacco, directly empowering regional governments to impose total bans on local vape sales.
Developed by the Ministry of Finance, the law aims to clean up a market that lawmakers have described as the “Wild West.” Between 2024 and 2025, authorities seized over 4,000 tons of illegal tobacco and nicotine-containing products. The new licensing system is designed to eliminate illicit operators, such as those selling counterfeit goods from car trunks or temporary stalls, by requiring a distinct license for every single retail location and delivery vehicle.
| Regulatory Aspect | New Policy Details |
|---|---|
| Wholesale Licensing | Regulated nationally by Rosalkogoltabakkontrol. |
| Retail Licensing | Managed and issued by regional authorities. |
| Regional Vape Bans | Regions can independently outlaw all retail vape sales. |
| Compliance Deadline | Full retail transition must be completed by March 1, 2028. |
Crucially, an amendment added to the bill allows individual regions to outlaw retail vape sales entirely. State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin noted that many territories are already prepared to exercise this power to protect youth from highly addictive flavored vapes. For example, Perm Krai has already drafted local legislation to ban the sale, storage, and distribution of all nicotine-delivery systems, making the mere presence of these products in a retail outlet a punishable offense.
Under the new rules, local governments will also work with public input to define strict boundary zones around schools and kindergartens where any tobacco or nicotine sales will be completely prohibited.
- Регионы смогут убрать вейпы из продажи
- Подробнее в ПГ: https://www.pnp.ru/social/regiony-smogut-ubrat-veypy-iz-prodazhi.html
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