Impact of New E-cigarette Regulations on Russian Retail Market

Aug.28.2023
Impact of New E-cigarette Regulations on Russian Retail Market
Russia's new e-cigarette regulations, including flavor bans and minimum pricing, will take effect on September 1st. How will these policies impact the country's retail market?

A series of e-cigarette related policies will officially come into effect in Russia on September 1st, including a ban on flavor additives, the implementation of a licensing system for e-cigarettes, and the enforcement of government regulations setting a minimum price for e-cigarettes.


How will these comprehensive policies affect the e-cigarette retail market in Russia? Are e-cigarette retailers prepared? On August 25th, the staff of 2FIRSTS Moscow News Center visited more than 10 e-cigarette stores in Moscow to gain an in-depth understanding of the e-cigarette retail market in Russia.


Interviewed retail employees unanimously stated that while they had heard about the forthcoming e-cigarette regulations, they lacked specific knowledge about the details.


In an interview with 2FIRSTS, all store owners stated that they currently have no specific stockpiling plans and continue to make purchases based on their usual procurement patterns. They are still acquiring popular products in larger quantities based on past sales records, and procuring as needed. The impending regulations have not prompted any changes in their purchasing methods.


When asked about the new law set to come into effect on September 1st, most of the employees explained that law enforcement in Russia is not typically stringent. They believe regulatory authorities may not inspect the retail sector too frequently, which implies that the implementation of the law may have a limited impact on the retail end.


Moreover, 2FIRSTS has also noticed that despite the regulation imposed by Russia on June 1st to prohibit the public display of e-cigarettes, 30% to 40% of e-cigarette retail stores are still not covering or hiding their products.



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.

Product | Geek Bar BURJ 80K Extends High-Puff Competition Into Hookah-Style DTL Use
Product | Geek Bar BURJ 80K Extends High-Puff Competition Into Hookah-Style DTL Use
2Firsts has noted that Geek Bar has added BURJ to its official product portfolio under the E-HOOKAH category. Public information shows that BURJ 80K is a hookah-style disposable vape featuring a 25ml e-liquid capacity, a 1500mAh battery, 0.4Ω dual coils and three operating modes: ECO, Regular and Pulse. According to publicly available product information, the device is rated for up to 80,000 puffs in ECO mode and uses a nicotine strength of 0.5% (5mg/ml).
Market
May.29
Germany Seizes 56 Pallets of Illegal Vapes, Probe Estimates €1.8 Million Tax Loss
Germany Seizes 56 Pallets of Illegal Vapes, Probe Estimates €1.8 Million Tax Loss
German authorities have seized dozens of pallets of illegal disposable vapes in a criminal investigation, with the products estimated to have caused at least €1.8 million in tax losses. The case has also raised concerns over cross-border supply chains linked to unauthorized nicotine products entering the European market.
Jul.14
Product | PMI Introduces VEEV inPrime, Bringing an Induction Vaporization Platform to the Next Generation of the VEEV Portfolio
Product | PMI Introduces VEEV inPrime, Bringing an Induction Vaporization Platform to the Next Generation of the VEEV Portfolio
Philip Morris International (PMI) has introduced VEEV inPrime, the next-generation closed-system vape platform featuring the new AdvanceVape Induction System™. Alongside the new induction platform, PMI has redesigned the pods, e-liquid formulations and user interaction experience. According to PMI and official IQOS websites, VEEV inPrime began a phased European rollout between May and June 2026, with products now available in Greece, Estonia, the United Kingdom and Italy.
Jul.14
Bloomberg: Zyn’s Dry-Mouth Problem Threatens Its Hold on Nicotine Pouch Market
Bloomberg: Zyn’s Dry-Mouth Problem Threatens Its Hold on Nicotine Pouch Market
According to Bloomberg, Philip Morris International’s Zyn is facing growing competition in the U.S. nicotine pouch market as consumers shift toward moister alternatives such as British American Tobacco’s Velo Plus.
BATPMI
May.22
Germany Expands Take-Back Rules for Disposable Vapes From July 1
Germany Expands Take-Back Rules for Disposable Vapes From July 1
Germany has expanded take-back obligations for disposable vapes from July 1, 2026, requiring consumers to be able to return used devices at stores that sell such products, including kiosks, petrol stations and vape shops, as e-cigarette regulation extends from sales to waste management and lithium-battery safety.
Market
Jul.06 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Illicit Vape and Nicotine Pouch Seizures Concentrated in UK Hotspots, New Data Shows
Illicit Vape and Nicotine Pouch Seizures Concentrated in UK Hotspots, New Data Shows
Freedom of Information (FOI) data from the UK shows that more than 3,000 seizures of illegal nicotine products were recorded in the 2024/25 financial year, with Hull, Liverpool and Bolton emerging as the most active enforcement hotspots — highlighting that the problem of illicit vapes, nicotine pouches and smokeless tobacco products persists across many parts of the country.
Jun.16