The Perm region has become the first in Russia to enact a complete ban on the retail sale of vapes. The regional legislative assembly's press service announced that deputies approved Governor Dmitry Makhonin's initiative in two readings, with the ban set to take effect on March 1, 2026.
The new legislation prohibits the sale of any devices used for smoking, including electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco systems, and their components. Violations will incur fines ranging from 15,000 to 20,000 rubles for officials and 50,000 to 100,000 rubles for legal entities. This moves beyond previous restrictions that had only banned vape sales in trading pavilions since 2024.
This regional action aligns with broader federal discussions. The Ministry of Finance has proposed amendments allowing regions to independently restrict vape sales between September 2026 and September 2031. President Vladimir Putin has reportedly viewed vape restrictions positively, and other regions, such as Altai Krai, are considering similar measures. However, experts warn that such total bans could fuel the illicit market, which is significant given the e-cigarette market's estimated value of 250 billion rubles in 2024.
