Smoking remains one of the most pressing public health issues in Russia and around the world. As a leading risk factor for chronic non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, and cancer, smoking demands our attention and action.
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Biyesultan Khamzaev, a member of the State Duma Committee on Health Protection, has called for a complete ban on hookahs in Russia. In an interview with Duma TV, Khamzaev expressed grave concerns about the potential health risks associated with these popular smoking devices.
Read moreThe State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, may consider a bill banning vapes during its spring session, according to Artem Metelev, head of the Duma Committee on Youth Policy. Metelev shared this information in a statement to TASS, a Russian news agency.
Read moreThe State Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament, has rejected a bill that proposed banning smoking at public transport stops and near building entrances during a plenary session, according to TASS news agency.
Read moreRussian President Vladimir Putin enacted legislation on February 3 significantly increasing fines for selling tobacco, vapes, and hookahs to minors. The updated penalties now reach 2 million rubles for businesses, with stricter enforcement targeting nicotine product accessibility among youth. Published on Russia’s official legal portal, the law revises Article 14.53 of the Administrative Offenses Code to address rising teen vaping rates.
Revised Penalty Structure for Nicotine Sales
The law introduces tiered fines based on offender categories:
- Individuals: 200,000–300,000 rubles
- Officials: 500,000–700,000 rubles
- Businesses: 1.5–2 million rubles
Additional penalties apply for violating retail rules:
- Individuals: 10,000–20,000 rubles
- Officials: 30,000–50,000 rubles
- Businesses: 90,000–120,000 rubles
Repeat offenses incur extra fines of 10,000–30,000 rubles. The regulations cover all nicotine-containing products, including e-cigarettes, hookahs, and related consumables.
Health Ministry Backs Crackdown Amid Teen Vaping Surge
The Russian Ministry of Health endorsed the stricter measures, citing a 30% increase in adolescent vaping since 2021. Deputy Health Minister Alexey Kuznetsov stated: “Vapes have become a gateway to nicotine addiction for minors. This law aligns with our broader anti-smoking strategy.”
The legislation follows a January 21 State Duma vote approving the bill in its final reading. Health advocates argue lax enforcement previously allowed retailers to bypass age verification protocols, enabling widespread underage access.
Industry Reactions and Enforcement Challenges
Small business associations express concerns over compliance costs. Ivan Petrov, head of the Moscow Retail Alliance, notes: “Many shops lack automated ID scanners. Fines this steep could bankrupt smaller vendors.”
Meanwhile, public health experts emphasize enforcement consistency. Dr. Elena Smirnova, a pediatric pulmonologist, warns: “Without nationwide inspections and vendor training, the law risks becoming symbolic.”
Vyacheslav Volodin, the Chairman of the State Duma (the lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia), has suggested preparing a cross-faction legislative initiative to ban vapes and e-liquids. The proposal aims to introduce the ban before the end of the current session.
Currently, two draft laws on this topic are under preparation for the first reading in the State Duma Committee on Health Protection. However, considering that nearly all factions have expressed the need for a complete ban on the sale of vapes, Volodin believes it would be appropriate to develop a corresponding cross-faction initiative.
The Russian government has recently enacted a new decree limiting the use of additives in smokeless tobacco products as part of its efforts to promote a healthier lifestyle. This step forward in the fight against tobacco addiction and related diseases demonstrates the government’s commitment to improving public health and creating a safer environment for all citizens, especially minors.
Read moreThe State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, is considering the inclusion of a bill that would ban the retail sale of vapes and related eliquids in Russia in its approximate work plan for March 2025. The proposed legislation, developed by deputies from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF), aims to prohibit the wholesale and retail trade of “nicotine or its derivatives, including nicotine salts, as well as nicotine-containing and nicotine-free liquids and devices for their consumption,” according to a TASS report citing a draft resolution from the Duma’s health protection committee.
Read moreCommunist Party Bill Aims to Strengthen National Public Health by Prohibiting Vaping Devices and Liquids
The Russian State Duma is currently discussing a bill introduced by Communist Party deputies that seeks to completely prohibit the sale of vaping devices and associated liquids, both with and without nicotine. The initiative aims to curb the proliferation of vaping across all age groups, particularly among youth, in an effort to bolster national public health.
The bill, which is publicly available in the State Duma’s electronic database of documents, proposes halting both retail and wholesale sales of all types of vaping devices and their liquids. The amendments emphasize the necessity of safeguarding public health and preventing the development of addiction among the younger generation.
This move follows a series of legislative measures designed to tighten control over the sale of tobacco products and related items. The State Duma has already passed a law in its first reading that significantly increases fines for selling tobacco products, hookahs, and vapes to minors. The new penalties range from 200,000 to 300,000 rubles for individuals, 500,000 to 700,000 rubles for officials, and up to 2 million rubles for organizations.
In addition to the proposed ban, the Federation Council has approved legislation introducing criminal liability for repeated sales of alcohol and nicotine-containing products to minors. Violators now face fines ranging from 50,000 to 80,000 rubles or may be sentenced to correctional labor for up to one year.
State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin noted that this bill is part of a broader strategy to shield youth from addictions and unfair trade practices that jeopardize their health and safety. The legislative initiative is designed to strengthen control over the vaping product market and foster a healthier social environment, according to the RIA news agency.
As the Russian State Duma continues to deliberate on this comprehensive ban on vaping devices and e-liquids, the potential impact on public health, particularly among younger generations, remains a central focus of the discussion.
On December 17, deputies of the State Duma adopted amendments to the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation in the second and third readings, tightening responsibility for selling vapes to minors. The new law establishes criminal liability for the repeated retail sale of tobacco and nicotine-containing products, as well as devices for their consumption, to underage individuals.
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