A bill proposing a complete ban on the wholesale and retail sale of vapes and electronic cigarettes has been introduced for consideration in Russia's State Duma. The initiative, led by deputies Sergey Mironov and Yana Lantratova, includes significant administrative fines for any violations.
The draft law outlines penalties for illegal sales ranging from 20,000-50,000 rubles for individuals to as much as 1 million rubles for legal entities. Fines for selling to minors would be substantially higher, potentially reaching up to 2 million rubles for companies.
Mironov stated that a full ban is necessary because many sellers ignore existing 2023 restrictions on flavored products and open displays, particularly concerning sales to teenagers. He noted that an estimated 4 million people in Russia use e-cigarettes, with a growing number of adolescents attracted by the lack of tobacco odor and the ease of concealment. This legislative effort follows a related June proposal to empower teachers to confiscate vape devices from students, as current disciplinary measures are seen as insufficient.
