Russian Parliament Bans the Sale of All Types of Vapes to Minors

In a recent move, the Russian Parliament has decided to ban the sale of all types of vapes to minors. This comes as a response to the growing popularity of vaping among the youth, and the potential health risks associated with it. The ban includes both nicotine and nicotine-free devices, and will only allow adults to purchase these devices in brick-and-mortar stores with closed displays.

Vapes will no longer be available for purchase online. They will be banned everywhere except for brick-and-mortar stores. Additionally, flavored e-liquids will no longer contain flavorings – attractive additives have also been banned. Minors will not be able to get their hands on either nicotine or nicotine-free devices. The Russian Parliament passed this law during a plenary session on April 11th. In the near future, they plan to tighten responsibility for violating these requirements and increase excise taxes on vapes to raise their price.

Harmful Subculture

The document was introduced by over four hundred deputies, led by the Russian Parliament Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin and leaders of parliamentary factions. According to Deputy Speaker Petr Tolstoy, vaping has turned not just into a bad habit, but into a subculture. “Children using these devices are unable to comprehend the irreparable harm they cause to their health,” said the deputy. “Various flavorings attract minors’ attention, creating the illusion of a tasty pastime.” But behind the seemingly harmless vapor hides real poison, capable of causing irreparable harm, severe poisoning, and even death.

However, for vape manufacturers, this is a profitable business. In 2021, Russia sold 38 billion rubles worth of such devices and liquids for them. If in 2014 there were 7,500 flavors for vapes, by 2019, more than 15,000 flavors had appeared.

Potion Will Lose Its Scent

In Russia, the sale of nicotine vapes to minors is already prohibited. However, the circulation of nicotine-free devices is not regulated at all. Once the new regulations come into force, sellers will be banned from selling vapes with or without nicotine to children.

It will also become more difficult for adults to buy such devices. Deputies have proposed banning the sale of vapes everywhere except for brick-and-mortar stores, and only from closed displays. It won’t be possible to purchase a gadget online or at a fair.

The complete ban on the production of flavored fillers is very important, believes Biysultan Khamzaev, a member of the Parliament Committee on Security and Anti-Corruption. In his opinion, this will reduce their popularity, as many vapers are attracted by the pleasant smell and taste of the inhaled smoke. The deputy demonstrated vapes with mango, mint, and blueberry flavors and reported that almost 70% of schoolchildren have tried smoking such devices. According to surveys, 75% of vapers are boys and 25% are girls. “Children should be under a social bulletproof vest, the state must protect them from all harmful, bad, and deadly things,” said Khamzaev. He emphasized that nicotine is a potent drug, and vapes use salt nicotine, which causes an even greater negative reaction and addiction.

Stricter Punishment

The adopted regulations are just the beginning of work to reduce vaping. Next up are changes to the Tax Code that will increase excise taxes on smoking devices and make them more expensive. Also under consideration in Parliament are amendments (No. 278685-8) to the Administrative Offenses Code on increasing fines for illegal vape trade. For those who sell nicotine vapes to minors, criminal liability may be introduced.

“We are already preparing amendments to the Administrative Offenses Code and criminal legislation to punish those who violate the law’s prohibition and introduce schoolchildren with immature minds to this potion,” said Vyacheslav Volodin, commenting on the initiative.

He wrote on his Telegram channel that vape liquids contain heavy metals and other chemicals, the entry of which into the body significantly increases the risk of developing malignant tumors. Toxic vape vapors contribute to the formation of scars on the lungs and narrowing of the airways.

“The law passed by the Parliament today prohibits the sale of vapes to minors, including those without nicotine content, and related consumables,” noted the Parliament Speaker. He reminded that the vast majority of his channel’s subscribers supported the adoption of measures to protect children from harmful habits and thanked people for their feedback and support. 68% of the participants in a poll on Volodin’s Telegram channel voted for a complete ban on vape trade, while 28% suggested tightening responsibility for their illegal sale to minors.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What types of vapes are included in the ban?
   The ban covers all types of vapes, including those with and without nicotine.
2. Can adults still purchase vapes?
   Yes, adults can still purchase vapes, but only in brick-and-mortar stores with closed displays.
3. Are flavored e-liquids still available?
   No, flavored e-liquids will no longer contain flavorings, as these attractive additives have been banned.
4. Will punishments for illegal vape trade become stricter?
   Yes, fines for illegal vape trade will be increased, and criminal liability may be introduced for those who sell nicotine vapes to minors.
5. What is the reasoning behind the ban on online sales?
   The ban on online sales aims to make it more difficult for minors to obtain vapes and reduce the overall accessibility of these devices.

Conclusion

The Russian Parliament’s decision to ban the sale of all types of vapes to minors is a significant step in protecting the youth from the potential health risks associated with vaping. By limiting the sale of these devices to brick-and-mortar stores with closed displays and banning flavored e-liquids, the Russian government aims to reduce the allure of vaping for minors and discourage its use among the general population.