Tag Archive for: Russia

Russia to Pilot E-Cigarette Labeling System

The Russian government has announced a pilot project for the mandatory labeling of reusable electronic cigarettes and vaping devices, set to begin on July 14, 2025. According to Government Resolution No. 1015, the experiment will cover devices corresponding to customs code 8543 40 000 0 and will run until February 28, 2026.

Participation in the pilot will be voluntary for manufacturers, importers, and distributors, who will receive labeling codes free of charge. The project’s goal is to test a product tracking system to increase market transparency and reduce the share of counterfeit products. The Ministry of Industry and Trade will establish rules for applying and registering in the “Chestny ZNAK” tracking system by August 31, 2025. The results of this voluntary experiment will determine whether the labeling becomes mandatory for all market participants in the future.

Russia Propose Full Ban on Vape Sales with Heavy Fines

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 Considers 30x Higher Fines for Smoking in Apartment Building Common Areas

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.

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Russian Lawmakers Support for Complete Vape Sales Ban

Russian 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.

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Russia Smoking Rates: Chechnya Lowest, Far East High

The 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%).

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Russia E-Cigarette Users Surge 19% to 5.3M in 2024

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The 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.

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Russian Duma Health Committee Head Calls Full Vape Ban

The 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.

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Russia Proposes Licensing for Tobacco, Vape & Hookah Sales

Russia’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.

Russians Advised of Fines for Smoking on Shared Balconies

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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.

Russia May Ban Vape & Cigarette Sales at Bus Stops

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.

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