Russia’s State Duma is set to consider a new legislative initiative that would completely ban both the wholesale and retail sale of all vapes and electronic cigarettes. The bill, proposed by deputies Sergey Mironov and Yana Lantratova, aims to address the widespread use of these devices, particularly among teenagers.
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Russia is considering a proposal to increase fines for smoking in the common areas of apartment buildings by up to 30 times the current penalties. Federation Council member Oleg Golov initiated the suggestion, arguing that the current administrative fines, ranging from 500 to 1,500 rubles, are too insignificant to deter the practice.
Read moreRussian lawmakers are prepared to support a blanket ban on the sale of all vaping products, State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin has announced. This follows a call from Industry and Trade Minister Anton Alikhanov to prohibit vape sales, arguing that current age restrictions are not effectively preventing youth access.
Read moreThe Chechen Republic has the lowest prevalence of smoking in Russia at just 0.2%, followed by Ingushetia (6.17%) and Kabardino-Balkaria (10.31%), according to March 2025 data from the Central Research Institute for Organization and Informatization of Health (CRIOI) of the Russian Ministry of Health. Other regions with low smoking rates include Karachay-Cherkessia (11.18%) and the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (11.58%).
Read moreThe total number of e-cigarette consumers in Russia increased by 19% in 2024, reaching 5.3 million people, according to data from the analytical service of the audit and consulting network FinExpertiza, prepared for TASS news agency. This growth in vape and heated tobacco product users has contributed to an overall rise in nicotine-dependent individuals in the country.
Read moreThe head of the Russian State Duma Committee on Health Protection, Sergey Leonov, has asserted the necessity of a complete ban on the production of vaping devices within Russia. Speaking on “Radio Rossii,” Leonov stated that despite existing laws prohibiting the sale of vapes to minors, cases of children using e-cigarettes continue to be recorded. He believes this warrants a total prohibition on domestic vape manufacturing.
Read moreRussia’s Ministry of Finance has put forward a proposal to introduce licensing for both wholesale and retail trade of tobacco products, e-cigarettes (vapes), and hookahs, slated to begin in March of next year. Businesses would need to pay a fee to obtain a sales permit, ensure their products comply with registration requirements in the national goods marking system, and have no outstanding tax debts.
The initiative to tighten control over tobacco product circulation has garnered support from the Federation Council. Anatoly Artamonov, head of the Council’s Committee on Budget and Financial Markets, stated, “This is absolutely correct, as there are many counterfeit products on the tobacco market today. Smoking is already harmful, and when people smoke surrogates, it’s a catastrophe. Moreover, the budget loses significant funds from illegal tobacco trade.” Senator Artamonov also suggested imposing criminal liability for unlicensed tobacco sales as a preventative measure. Federation Council Chair Valentina Matviyenko has advocated for sharing a portion of tobacco excise tax revenues with regional authorities to incentivize their efforts in combating illegal cigarette sales.
Smoking on shared apartment building balconies in Russia can result in fines ranging from 500 to 1,500 rubles, according to Sergey Kolunov, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Construction, Housing and Communal Services. He emphasized that the ban on smoking in common areas of residential buildings, such as elevators and stairwells, also extends to these shared balconies.
Common Area Smoking Ban Includes Balconies, Hookahs
Kolunov noted that residents might mistakenly believe shared balconies are separate from common подъезд (entrance hall/stairwell) areas, but this is incorrect. The restrictions apply equally to smoking hookahs in these locations. Furthermore, if smoke from an individual’s private apartment balcony causes discomfort to neighbors, they are entitled to contact the police. This advice aligns with legal expert Alexander Karabanov, who previously suggested calling the police for neighbors smoking on balconies, citing both discomfort and fire safety concerns. The Russian government is also reportedly evaluating a bill to increase fines for smoking near schools.
- News source: Россиянам рассказали о штрафах за курение на балконе
Proposed Russian law seeks to prohibit sales of tobacco, vapes & hookahs at public transport stops to limit youth access & passive smoking.
Russian lawmakers are considering a bill that would prohibit the sale of cigarettes, vaping products, nicotine-containing items, and hookahs at all public transport stops across the country. The legislation, introduced to the State Duma by deputies from the Khabarovsk Territory, aims to reduce the accessibility of these products, particularly to students, and to combat passive smoking.
Read moreGovernor Calls Vapes “Weapon of Genocide,” Seeks Regional Authority
Authorities in Russia’s Vologda Oblast intend to implement a complete ban on the sale of vapes and other smoking mixtures, according to Governor Georgy Filimonov. In an interview with RBC agency, Filimonov strongly condemned these products, calling them and alcohol “weapons of genocide against people,” particularly the young.
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