E-cigarettes in Russia

Russia: Bill 310882-8 on the regulation of production and circulation of tobacco and nicotine-containing products has passed its third reading in the lower house of parliament, the State Duma, and now heads to the Federal Assembly. Among other things, it would introduce state licensing of production, storage, import and export of tobacco and nicotine-containing products, including raw materials. It would also establish mandatory state registration of the main technological equipment used for the production of such products. If adopted, licensing will be mandatory from 1st March 2024.

Russia: President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a bill tightening regulation of e-cigarettes and e-liquids. The new law restricts retail sale of devices in line with the rules that already apply to e-liquids; bans flavours and additives that enhance nicotine dependence; prohibits discounts on devices and bans their display in stores. From 1st September e-liquids will be subject to a minimum price, to be determined by the government.

Russia: Bill 310882-8 on the state regulation of production and circulation of tobacco and nicotine-containing products has passed its first reading in the State Duma. The bill would introduce state licensing of production, storage, import and export of tobacco and nicotine-containing products, including raw materials. It would establish mandatory state registration of technological equipment used in the production of those products. And it is expected that the Federal Service for Regulation of the Alcohol Market (Rosalkogolregulirovanie) would be given authority over tobacco and nicotine-containing products. Amendments to the bill may be submitted by 11th May before the second reading.

Russia: State Duma member Sultan Khamzaev, head of the Sober Russia project, has reportedly suggested to health minister Mikhail Murashko that purchases of tobacco and nicotine-containing products should be restricted to card payments only. He also suggested that banks and large retail chains should introduce an automatic block on bank cards issued to minors being used to buy such products.

Russia: Bill 332229-8, setting a minimum price for nicotine e-liquids and banning flavours and additives that increase nicotine addiction, has passed its first reading in the State Duma, the lower chamber of Parliament. The list of banned additives will be determined by executive regulation. The bill is highly likely to succeed, but before it goes to president Vladimir Putin to be signed, it must pass a second and third reading and be approved by the upper chamber, the Federal Council.

Russia: According to an announcement by the State Duma, a new bill being prepared will introduce new restrictions on e-cigarette purchasing age, advertising and product display. As all those areas are already subject to regulation, it is not clear how far restrictions will be increased. The relevant committees are expected to finalise drafting of the bill by 11th April. Periodical tax increases are said to be under consideration too – though regulation already in place stipulates incremental increases until 2025.