Changes to Russian e-cigarette regulations questioned

Apr.18.2023
Changes to Russian e-cigarette regulations questioned
CRPT, the operator of the "honest label" system, confirms no changes to their system due to e-cigarette additives ban in Russia.

On April 17th, in response to the "ban on e-cigarette additives," 2FIRSTS Moscow News Center interviewed Yuri Babinkov, the manager of the tobacco department of the "Honest Label" operation company, about the potential impact of changes to related regulatory legislation on the existing "Honest Label" system.


Yuri Babinkov | Image Source: 2FIRSTS


According to Yuri Babinkov, the manager of the tobacco department at the CRPT, ...


There will be no changes to the "honest labeling" requirements, as electronic cigarettes will be subject to mandatory labeling restrictions.


However, he stated that due to the fact that ЦРПТ company is affiliated with the state, he is unable to answer any further questions regarding trade.


According to reports, CRPT Company is the fully authorized operator of the "Honest Label" system in Russia, and is a state-owned enterprise of the Russian Federation. On November 30, 2022, the revised version of the Russian Federation's Product Circulation Control Act No. 2178 will come into effect, which mandates the use of a tracking system for "tobacco and nicotine-containing products, as well as nicotine-free products." Failure to operate such products with traceability labels will result in penalties under the Russian Federation's Administrative Violations Code and Criminal Code, depending on the severity of the offense.


Honest Label" is a Russian product tracking system that currently covers more than a dozen categories, including tobacco, food, drugs, tires, and textiles. The system was launched in 2018 and has been effective in regulating product quality. On December 15th, 2022, e-cigarettes containing nicotine oil were included in the "Honest Label" regulation.


Related Reading:


Russian nicotine product producers must apply for a license" - This bill has passed its first reading.


In One Day, Russian Flavor Ban Timeline and Background Sketch Passes Three Readings Through Bill


Russian Ban on E-Cigarette Flavorings to Take Effect on September 1; Full Proposal Attached. On April 11, Russia Will Hold First Discussion on Proposal to Ban Flavored E-Cigarettes.


Russia proposes a maximum fine of 500,000 rubles for selling electronic cigarettes to minors.


What is the progress of the ban on certain flavors in Russia's legislative process? Here is an overview of the legislative process in Russia.


Interview with Russian producer of nicotine products: The trend towards regulatory compliance is irreversible, and a complete ban on e-cigarettes is unlikely.


Expert Analysis Series:


Expert interpretation 1: Russia's ban on flavored e-cigarettes extends to all products, and specific standards for additives are yet to be disclosed.


Expert Analysis 2: Russia Sets Minimum Retail Price for E-Cigarette Products to Reduce Demand for Nicotine-Based Products.


Expert interpretation 3: Russia proposes to ban the online sale and offline display of electronic cigarettes, effective June 1.


Topic: Progress and Expert Analysis on Russia's Ban on E-Cigarette Flavors (click the image below to go to the article)



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.

Global Nicotine-Pouch E-Commerce Group Haypp Shuts Sweden’s Snusnetto Over Age Verification as Identity Checks Become Industry Infrastructure for New Nicotine Products
Global Nicotine-Pouch E-Commerce Group Haypp Shuts Sweden’s Snusnetto Over Age Verification as Identity Checks Become Industry Infrastructure for New Nicotine Products
Sweden's Supreme Administrative Court has declined to hear an appeal over age verification for tobacco and nicotine products collected from parcel lockers, leaving in place a lower-court ruling that geo-located BankID verification is insufficient to securely verify the actual recipient. Haypp Group has stopped tobacco and nicotine sales through Snusnetto and is deploying a new system across its other Swedish e-commerce sites to verify the age of the person who actually opens the locker and receives the shipment. The change comes as age verification across next-generation nicotine products expands from purchase checks into retail, delivery and, for some e-cigarettes, device access itself.
Regulations
Oct.20
Russia’s Vape Device Labeling Regime Enters Force: Registration Starts in September, Mandatory Coding in December
Russia’s Vape Device Labeling Regime Enters Force: Registration Starts in September, Mandatory Coding in December
Russia's digital labeling regime for reusable e-cigarettes and similar personal vaping devices entered its first mandatory phase in September 2026. From September 1, manufacturers, importers and other market participants must register with the national Chestny ZNAK tracking system. From December 1, newly manufactured and imported covered devices will be required to carry digital identification codes and be reported as entering circulation. Russia has also issued new operational guidance for imports, marking the transition from a voluntary pilot to phased mandatory implementation.
Sep.15
GSTHR Estimates 200 Million People Use Non-Combustible Nicotine Products as 28 Countries Show Rising Use Alongside Falling Smoking Rates
GSTHR Estimates 200 Million People Use Non-Combustible Nicotine Products as 28 Countries Show Rising Use Alongside Falling Smoking Rates
The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction, a project operated by Knowledge·Action·Change, estimates that about 200 million people worldwide use non-combustible nicotine products including vapes, heated tobacco, nicotine pouches and snus. Its 2026 report says use of these products rose alongside declining smoking rates in 28 countries it analyzed. The data do not establish that all 200 million users have quit smoking, nor do they prove a direct causal relationship. GSTHR also says regulatory restrictions on the products continue to expand in many markets.
Sep.10
Pennsylvania Vape Directory Enforcement Starts Oct. 19, Barring Retail Sales of Unlisted Products
Pennsylvania Vape Directory Enforcement Starts Oct. 19, Barring Retail Sales of Unlisted Products
Pennsylvania's Act 57 vape directory regime will reach the end of its 120-day inventory transition period on Oct. 19. Nicotine-containing e-cigarettes intended for retail sale in the state that are not listed on the Attorney General's ENDS directory will then be barred from retail sale and treated as contraband subject to seizure, forfeiture and destruction. Manufacturers face annual product certification, brand- and style-based fees and a minimum $50,000 surety bond, while retailers and wholesalers must source through licensed channels and monitor the directory.
Regulations
Oct.08
PMI Launches Fourth IQOS Convenience-Store Discount of 2026 for Black Friday in Japan, Cutting ILUMA i ONE to About $19 After Ploom AURA Fell to About $9
PMI Launches Fourth IQOS Convenience-Store Discount of 2026 for Black Friday in Japan, Cutting ILUMA i ONE to About $19 After Ploom AURA Fell to About $9
Philip Morris Japan launched its fourth confirmed nationwide convenience-store discount campaign for IQOS ILUMA i devices in 2026 on October 26, cutting three models by as much as ¥2,000, or about $12.70. The campaign began one day after JT ended a promotion that reduced Ploom AURA to ¥1,480, or about $9.40. JT says Ploom's share of Japan's heated-products category rose from 10.9% in January 2024 to 18.3% in June 2026, a gain of 7.4 percentage points, while PMI says IQOS still held about 68% category share in the third quarter. At the same time, Japan's two-stage heated-tobacco tax adjustment has pushed stick prices higher, leaving device discounts as an increasingly important tool for lowering the upfront cost of customer acquisition.
Market
Oct.28
German Customs Seize 115,800 Vapes in €1.4 Million Tax Case
German Customs Seize 115,800 Vapes in €1.4 Million Tax Case
Germany's Magdeburg Main Customs Office seized 115,800 untaxed e-cigarettes containing a combined 4.366 million mL of e-liquid during four truck inspections between August 10 and September 4, 2026. The seizures prevented an estimated €1.397 million in tax losses and set a record for the customs office's jurisdiction. Criminal proceedings have been initiated against four truck drivers. The case follows a separate German investigation involving more than 7.6 million illicit vapes and an estimated €33.3 million in excise-tax losses.
Enforcement
Oct.13