Babylon Vardex Group sues over illegal tax on ENDS.

Sep.22.2022
Babylon Vardex Group sues over illegal tax on ENDS.
Babylon Vardex Group sues Moscow court over central excise tax on liquid in electronic nicotine delivery systems.

The main distributor of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), Babylon Vardex Group, has filed a lawsuit with the Moscow Arbitration Court, declaring the behavior of the Central Excise Tax (CAT) as illegal. The latter demands payment of consumption tax for the liquid contained in the ENDS.


Artem Shevelin, the chief lawyer of Babilon LLC, has explained that in addition to paying consumption taxes on equipment, customs authorities are also requiring liquid consumption taxes to be paid on immersed evaporators. The size of these requirements, which relate to goods imported between 2020 and 2022, has not been disclosed. A preliminary hearing for the claim will take place between September and October.


CAT stated that all activities involving ENDS are legal. The Ministry of Finance also pointed out that a consumption tax must be paid on the liquid used for ENDS. It does not matter whether it is sold separately or as part of a package.


Market experts add that pressure on market participants will only push them into a gray area, rendering legal businesses unprofitable for suppliers and sellers alike. However, the current situation calls for a cross-departmental meeting to discuss ways to avoid potential double taxation issues.


On August 9th, the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade proposed to advance the label test on nicotine liquids and electronic nicotine delivery systems, and to enforce mandatory labels for these products starting from November 1st, 2022.


Statement:


This article is compiled based on third-party information and is intended solely for industry communication and learning.


This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS, and 2FIRSTS cannot confirm the authenticity or accuracy of the article's content. The article's translation is solely intended for industry-specific communication and research.


Due to the limitations of our translation abilities, the translated article may not accurately reflect the original text. Therefore, readers are advised to rely on the original text for accuracy.


2FIRSTS is in full alignment with the Chinese government's positions and statements on any domestic, Hong Kong and Taiwan-related, and foreign issues.


5. The copyright of the compiled information belongs to the original media and authors. If there is infringement, please contact us for removal.


This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

Forbes: PMI Ranked Among Top 5 “Net Zero Leaders”
Forbes: PMI Ranked Among Top 5 “Net Zero Leaders”
PMI was ranked among the top five in Forbes’ “Net Zero Leaders,” recognized for driving a smoke-free future, committing to sustainability, and planning expansion into the wellness and healthcare sectors.
Jul.29 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Spain Moves to Ban Smoking and Vaping on Bar Terraces, Beaches, Stadiums, and Bus Stops
Spain Moves to Ban Smoking and Vaping on Bar Terraces, Beaches, Stadiums, and Bus Stops
Spain’s minority government has introduced a bill to prohibit smoking and the use of e-cigarettes in outdoor venues such as beaches, bar and restaurant terraces, bus stops, and sports stadiums. The proposal—framed as a public-health measure—faces a fragmented parliament and hospitality-sector pushback. Unlike France’s July restrictions, Spain’s plan includes both terraces and e-cigarettes. The bill excludes plain packaging; Spain records over 50,000 smoking-related deaths annually.
Sep.10
UK disposablevapee ban survey: 85% of users switch to compliant devices, 26% turn to the illegal market
UK disposablevapee ban survey: 85% of users switch to compliant devices, 26% turn to the illegal market
New study reveals 85% of e-cigarette users switch to reusable devices, highlighting challenges in transition and increased tobacco use.
Aug.08 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Asia Pacific Harm Reduction Alliance Criticizes Singapore’s Policy: Confusing Illegal “Drug Pods” with Legal E-Cigarettes May Fuel Black Market Circulation
Asia Pacific Harm Reduction Alliance Criticizes Singapore’s Policy: Confusing Illegal “Drug Pods” with Legal E-Cigarettes May Fuel Black Market Circulation
The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) has expressed concern over Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s recent announcement to treat e-cigarettes as a “drug issue” and impose imprisonment penalties. CAPHRA stated that this policy confuses illegal products containing etomidate with legal nicotine devices, goes against harm reduction science, deprives adult smokers of access to safer alternatives, and may instead fuel black market circulation.
Aug.19 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Company | PMI Survey: 60% of U.S. Voters Support a “New Path” for Tobacco Control, Backing Policies that Encourage Switching to Lower-Risk Alternatives
Company | PMI Survey: 60% of U.S. Voters Support a “New Path” for Tobacco Control, Backing Policies that Encourage Switching to Lower-Risk Alternatives
An article on Philip Morris International’s (PMI) website indicates that U.S. likely voters generally hold reserved or negative views of the FDA’s performance on public health and tobacco regulation, with only about 36% expressing approval. Two nationwide polls show that more than six in ten respondents support reducing smoking rates through new approaches rather than relying solely on higher taxes and restrictions; over half support policies that encourage adult smokers to switch to non-combust
Sep.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Alan Zhao | Compliance, Innovation, and the Industry Shake-up: Lessons from Smoore’s 2025 Mid-Year Report
Alan Zhao | Compliance, Innovation, and the Industry Shake-up: Lessons from Smoore’s 2025 Mid-Year Report
In his analysis of Smoore’s 2025 mid-year report, Alan Zhao notes that U.S. enforcement and Europe’s bans are accelerating industry shake-ups, making compliance capability the dividing line for survival. He argues that Smoore’s strategy has shifted from “understanding” to “executing,” and that the next 12–18 months will be not only a critical transition period for the company but also a decisive stage in reshaping the global vapor industry landscape.
Aug.25