E-cigarettes in Ukraine

Ukraine: The Verkhovna Rada (parliament) Committee on Finance, Tax and Customs Policy supported Bill 8286 on the introduction of an electronic excise stamp for tobacco products and e-liquids, media reports. If adopted, the bill – considered necessary to ensure the traceability of such products – will apply from 1st January 2024. The committee also backs the related Bill 8287 on corresponding amendments to the Tax Code and other laws.

Ukraine: The Ministry of Finance plans to increase the fee for excise stamps on e-liquids and heated tobacco products from UAH0.091 (€0.0023) to UAH0.1484 (€0.0038), media reports. If approved, the new rate is expected to come into force the day after the regulation is published.

Ukraine: Bill 8215, which would ban the importation and transporting of tobacco products and e-liquids from Belarus during the period of martial law and/or the state of emergency, has been registered in the Verkhovna Rada (parliament), media reports. The bill would also prohibit the importing of products whose owner or ultimate beneficiary is a legal entity registered in Russia or Belarus, or anyone on whom sanctions have been applied. If adopted, the bill will come into force the day after it is published.

Ukraine: Tax officials in Lutsk, administrative centre of the Volyn oblast in northwestern Ukraine, have reported finding e-liquids being sold without a licence and without excise tax stamps. The seller now faces a fine of UAH92,400 (€2,525).

Ukraine: The health ministry’s Public Health Centre has set up an online platform for anyone who encounters a violation of anti-tobacco legislation to report it, either through the website or via an app. Complaints about violations of public place usage restrictions, illegal trade, advertising, or lack of warning information will automatically be sent to the relevant department.

Ukraine: Parliament yesterday rejected amendments N20 and N21 to Bill 5616 “On the legal protection of geographical indications for agricultural products”, which would have allowed vaping and heated tobacco use in some “specially designated” public areas, media reports. The amendments had been criticised for attempting to introduce matters unrelated to the main subject of the bill, which is prohibited under parliament regulations.