The Russian State Duma has approved a landmark bill in its second and third readings, granting regional authorities the power to ban retail vape sales and introducing mandatory licensing for all nicotine products. This legislative push, set to take effect on March 1, 2027, arrives amid intensifying efforts by Moscow to curb a rampant illicit market and protect youth from nicotine addiction.
Sergey Leonov, Chairman of the Health Protection Committee, noted that the new regional powers will help dismantle Russia's shadow vape market, which currently accounts for up to 65% of total sales. The move follows a February 2025 law signed by President Vladimir Putin that increased penalties for selling nicotine products to minors.
State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin strongly supported the measure, drawing parallels between vape addiction and narcotics. Volodin highlighted a Telegram poll where 74% of respondents favored a total national ban on e-cigarettes—an initiative currently being drafted by lawmakers and supported by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
While global trends lean toward restriction—with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting that 42 countries have banned e-cigarettes entirely—some public health experts criticize this hardline approach. Dr. Konstantinos Farsalinos, a Greek public health researcher, argued that outright bans ignore harm-reduction data and inadvertently protect the traditional, highly harmful cigarette market.
Vape Industry Content Creator | Product Reviewer | Harm Reduction Advocate
Alex Chen is a professional vape content creator with a strong focus on product education, industry trends, and harm reduction. With years of hands-on experience testing disposable vapes, pod systems, and e-liquids, Alex provides clear, unbiased insights to help adult consumers make informed decisions.
