St. Petersburg Moves to Ban Vape Sales Until 2032

The Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg has approved in its first reading a bill banning the sale of electronic cigarettes until 2032. If enacted, the five-year prohibition will take effect on March 1, 2027, forcing approximately 615 specialized vape shops across the city to shut down or alter their business models.

Regional Powers and the Perm Precedent

Russian regions recently gained legal authority to enact local bans on vapor products. Perm Krai became the first territory to execute this power earlier this year. However, local reports indicate the restriction produced unintended public health outcomes.

“Youths on the street started smoking regular cigarettes instead,” noted Rossiyskaya Gazeta correspondent Konstantin Bakharev. He observed that while dedicated vape shops and kiosks closed down, conventional tobacco retailers continued normal operations and saw sustained foot traffic.

Heated Tobacco Remains Legal Under “Narrow Evil” Policy

Despite concerns from some lawmakers that a vape ban could drive consumers back to conventional smoking, the bill passed unanimously. The bill’s author, United Russia deputy Denis Chetyrbok, stated that the legislation aims to fight a “narrow evil.”

Heated tobacco devices, such as IQOS, are excluded from the ban and will remain on store shelves alongside regular cigarettes. St. Petersburg’s Committee for Industrial Policy noted that specialized vape shops account for only 0.6% of the city’s retail footprint, arguing that the closures will not disrupt the local economy.

Black Market Risks and Business Fallout

Retail leaders warn that outright prohibition will shift demand directly into illicit channels. Alexey Mostovshchikov, founder of the PiterSmoke retail chain, highlighted that unregulated sales from private apartments and vehicle trunks will bypass all age verification checks.

“Kids will buy vapes from car trunks and apartments via Telegram channels because there is zero control,” Mostovshchikov said. He added that while large tobacco chains can survive by shifting stock to other nicotine goods and beverages, single stores that rely on vapes for 90% of their revenue will be forced out of business.

Ripple Effects for Moscow

The legislative move in Russia’s northern capital signals broader national restrictions. Lawmakers in the Moscow Regional Duma recently proposed an identical ban across both Moscow and the Moscow Region, pointing to shared distribution logistics between the two federal subjects.

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Matthew Ma

Marketing at Ecigator

With over a decade of experience in the e-cigarette industry, Matthew Ma is a seasoned expert in both the manufacturing and usage aspects of vaping products. His extensive background has provided him with a deep understanding of the intricacies and evolving dynamics of e-cigarettes.