2023 Minimum Cigarette Price Increases by 5 Rubles

Jan.16.2023
2023 Minimum Cigarette Price Increases by 5 Rubles
Starting from 2023, Russia's minimum cigarette price will increase by 5 rubles due to a rise in tobacco product consumption tax.

In 2023, the new minimum price for cigarettes, known as the Unified Minimum Price (UMC), will be 117 rubles (approximately 11.9 yuan), which is 5 rubles (approximately 0.5 yuan) higher than last year.


Regulations on the sale of cigarettes with expired UMC information have become stricter, with retailers being obligated to remove them from sales.


The increase in minimum prices is a result of the increased consumption tax on tobacco products. For cigars and cigarettes, the tax has been raised from 3333 rubles per thousand to 3467 rubles per thousand, for cigars - from 268 rubles per piece to 278 rubles per piece, for small cigars - from 3958 rubles per thousand to 3965 rubles per thousand, and for tobacco (excluding unprocessed tobacco) - from 3958 rubles per kilogram to 4116 rubles per kilogram.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

Spain Plans to Extend Smoking Ban to Terraces and Beaches, Bringing Vapes Under New Restrictions
Spain Plans to Extend Smoking Ban to Terraces and Beaches, Bringing Vapes Under New Restrictions
Spain is advancing a new tobacco-control reform that would expand smoking restrictions to additional public spaces, including restaurant terraces and beaches, while bringing vaping and other nicotine products into the same regulatory framework. The proposed measures aim to reduce secondhand smoke exposure, protect young people and expand smoke-free environments. The proposal remains under legislative development, and final implementation details have not yet been confirmed.
Jul.23
DOJ Trade Fraud Task Force Tops $1 Billion in Cases, Putting Vape Supply Chains at Risk of Fraud Enforcement
DOJ Trade Fraud Task Force Tops $1 Billion in Cases, Putting Vape Supply Chains at Risk of Fraud Enforcement
According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Fox News and other reports, the DOJ’s Trade Fraud Task Force (TFTF) has been linked to more than $1 billion in recoveries, penalties, forfeitures and publicly charged losses in less than one year. The task force focuses on trade fraud issues including country-of-origin fraud, illegal transshipment, false declarations and tariff evasion. While vape products are not the main source of the $1 billion figure, the industry’s reliance on global manufacturing and cross-border supply chains places it within broader U.S. trade enforcement scrutiny. The development suggests that U.S. oversight of cross-border vape products may increasingly extend beyond product authorization into import compliance, supply-chain transparency and corporate accountability.
Jul.23
JTI Makes Third Bet on South Korea as Ploom AURA Enters a Market Dominated by lil and IQOS
JTI Makes Third Bet on South Korea as Ploom AURA Enters a Market Dominated by lil and IQOS
Japan Tobacco International is stepping up its heated tobacco push in South Korea with Ploom AURA. Since its official launch in April 2026, the device's limited First Edition and Glacier White version have sold out, while distribution has expanded across Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi Province and airport duty-free channels. The rollout marks JTI's third major attempt to build a stronger heated tobacco position in South Korea, following Ploom TECH in 2019 and Ploom X Advanced in 2024. At the group level, JT plans to invest about ¥800 billion, approximately $5 billion, in reduced-risk products from 2026 through 2028, with heated products and Ploom identified as its primary investment priority.
Aug.14
CCPIT Says Trade Friction Index for China-Related Electronics Sector Remains High, With Vape Products Among Areas of Focus
CCPIT Says Trade Friction Index for China-Related Electronics Sector Remains High, With Vape Products Among Areas of Focus
China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) held its July regular press conference on July 31, 2026, releasing the May 2026 Global Economic and Trade Friction Index. CCPIT spokesperson Yang Fan said the global trade friction index stood at 95 in May, remaining at a medium-to-high level. By industry, the electronics sector recorded the highest trade friction index among 13 monitored industries. In China-related trade frictions, the index stood at 93, with electronics products including drones, chips and vape products among areas where friction remained elevated.
Aug.03
Russia Adds Vapes to “Strategic Goods” List, Illegal Cross-Border Trade Faces Up to Five Years in Prison
Russia Adds Vapes to “Strategic Goods” List, Illegal Cross-Border Trade Faces Up to Five Years in Prison
Russia will place e-cigarettes and related nicotine products under its “strategic goods” framework from August 20, 2026. According to TVP World’s report published on August 19, the newly listed items include e-cigarettes, electronic smoking devices, vape liquids and nicotine salts. Individuals who illegally move these products across Russia’s customs border or its state border with other Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) members could face up to five years in prison if shipment values exceed 100,000 rubles (about €1,000), provided all elements of a criminal offence are established.
Aug.20
JAMA Issues First U.S. Clinical Guidance on Vaping for Smoking Cessation, Urging Complete Switch From Cigarettes
JAMA Issues First U.S. Clinical Guidance on Vaping for Smoking Cessation, Urging Complete Switch From Cigarettes
JAMA has published a Special Communication offering systematic recommendations for U.S.-based clinicians on the use of nicotine e-cigarettes in adult smoking cessation. Developed by the Harm Reduction Workgroup of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco’s Treatment Research Network, the paper recommends including e-cigarettes alongside FDA-approved cessation medications in risk-benefit discussions. It cites high-certainty evidence that nicotine e-cigarettes achieve higher quit rates than nicotine replacement therapy and evidence suggesting efficacy comparable to highly effective medications such as varenicline and cytisine. For adults who choose vaping to quit, the authors recommend FDA-authorized products, sufficient nicotine delivery and a rapid, complete transition away from cigarettes rather than prolonged dual use.
Aug.13