The landscape of nicotine consumption in Russia has been dramatically reshaped by the explosive growth of electronic cigarettes. According to data from VCIOM (Russian Public Opinion Research Center) and Rosstat, the number of e-cigarette users in Russia has surged to 10.5 million people, a staggering 46-fold increase over just five years. This rapid rise, particularly among young people, has prompted Russian authorities to pursue a series of legislative measures aimed at controlling the so-called “elektronki” and vapes. However, despite these efforts, the number of vape shops continues to grow, and the market, both legal and illicit, thrives. This has led to an intense debate among lawmakers, public health officials, and industry stakeholders about the most effective path forward: stricter regulation or a complete ban?
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In Russia, smoking or vaping at home, including on a private balcony, can now result in a fine of up to 1,500 rubles if it disturbs neighbors. Lawyers are reminding citizens that while the act isn’t explicitly banned in one’s own residence, the law protects a neighbor’s right to a clean and safe living environment.
Read moreA new law took effect in Russia on August 3rd, introducing criminal liability for the circulation of unmarked nicotine-containing products, including vape liquids. This measure extends criminal penalties, previously focused on traditional tobacco, to all nicotine products lacking special government-mandated marking.
Read moreRetail sales of nicotine-containing products in Russia have surged, with the turnover for alternative products like vapes and e-cigarettes jumping by nearly 20% over the past year. Despite this growing demand, driven largely by youth popularity, the number of physical vape shops is rapidly declining due to regulatory uncertainty and the looming threat of a complete sales ban.
Read moreThe number of legal manufacturers of vape liquids in Russia has plummeted by 23 times in just one year, dropping from 117 companies to only five, according to Vladislav Zaslavsky, a director at the Ministry of Industry and Trade. This dramatic decline follows a doubling of excise taxes on nicotine-containing liquids in 2024, a move Zaslavsky believes has pushed the market into the shadows.
Read moreRussian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law introducing criminal liability for the creation, sale, or use of counterfeit excise and special stamps for tobacco and alcohol products. The amendments to the Criminal Code also expand existing laws against the illegal trafficking of unstamped goods to explicitly include nicotine-containing products, such as vapes, in addition to traditional tobacco.
Read moreThe 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’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.
Read moreRussia 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.
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