Russia Moves to License All Tobacco and Vape Sales
A Russian State Duma committee has recommended for its first reading a government-backed bill that would introduce mandatory licensing for the trade of all tobacco and nicotine-containing products, including vapes. The Duma’s Committee on Economic Policy endorsed the legislation, stating that its implementation would “strengthen effective control over the circulation of tobacco and nicotine-containing products, as well as increase the legality of this market.”
According to Deputy Finance Minister Alexei Sazanov, this licensing system is a crucial step towards comprehensive regulation of the industry, aiming to “whiten” the market by controlling the entire supply chain from manufacturer to consumer and curbing the flow of illegal goods. The bill mandates separate licenses for different activities, including wholesale trade (procurement, storage, supply) and retail sales, including mobile or delivery-based trade.
Under the proposal, wholesale licenses will be issued by the federal regulator, Rosalkogoltabakkontrol, while regional authorities will handle retail licensing, directing revenue to their respective budgets. To obtain a license, businesses must meet several requirements, including having no significant tax debt, possessing or leasing a retail space of at least five square meters, and paying a state fee. Regions will also have the authority to impose additional local restrictions, such as increasing the minimum retail space requirement.
The proposed timeline indicates that the issuance of licenses will begin on March 1, 2026, with a transition period for businesses to comply. Trading without a license is set to be prohibited from September 1, 2026.
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