Will Russia Ban Vaping?

In April 11th, 2023, the Russian State Duma approved a bill introducing more strict regulations on the sale of vaping devices in the first reading. One day later, a law was formally adopted in the third and final reading, which regulated the sale of e-cigarette to minors. The ban can also be applied to nicotine-free devices. The bill witnessed an incredibly quick speed of approving, which is also a overwhelmingly landslide one. Over 400 MPs support the bill amending several existing laws, especially the one that regulates the sale and consumption of tobacco.

What are on the Bill?

There are several significant articles in this bill:

✔ Limited flavorings in the vaping device

✔ Raise the minimum price on the sale of e-juice

✔ More rules on the outer packaging

✔ Same rules with traditional tobacco applied

✔ Total ban on the sale to minors

✔ Disallow bringing any vaping/smoking accessories in school

✔ Disallow any presentation or exhibition of the vaping device

✔ Set a minimum price for e-cigarette

✔ Regulate the way of the vaping device being sold

When will the Bill Come into Force?

The bill has been approved by the Upper House with 88.8% upvoting rate, as of April 26th, 2023. According to the formal procedure of legislation in Russia, now the bill will be submitted to the President Office and possibly Vladimir Putin will sign at it. Before it comes into force, the bill will be published in the government’s communique for a 10-day announcement.

What will Happen to the Vaping Market in Russia?

The future of the vaping market in Russia dooms these days as it looks like, but could this how it truly be? The new provisions could make the sale of e-juice a less cost-effective business, while we are still waiting for the final list of “permitted flavored addictives”, and then we can be sure about will the e-cigarette with fruity flavors be banned in Russia.

Some experts studying teenagers may deem the bill as a positive move to be against premature exposure to nicotine, while some others, like the Chairwoman of the Upper House, Valentina Matviyenko, express concerns about the potential growth in the black market of vaping. The official said that she would not be supportive of a total ban on e-cigarette, and “Government should impose more regulations in the vaping market, instead of working out a one-size-fit-all policy.”

These concerns have an element of truth to some extent – cutting down the whole e-cigarette market in a short term would inevitably bring out a bigger black market, which means more unregulated e-cigarette, lawless traders, but less tax income. And most importantly, more teenagers will potentially be harmed by the policy.

Taking a comprehensive view, Russia could still potentially be one of the largest vaping markets in the world. The total number of smokers has reached nearly 35 millions in Russia, revealed by a survey in 2019. There is still a long way to go toward a national smoking-quit campaign, and vaping, as an effective alternative to smoking, is also considered as a good way to promote health. Russia’s move on the bill is a positive step to regulate the market of e-cigarette, but there are still many chances to for legal traders who comply with the law.