Majority of Russians Support Ban on Selling E-Cigarettes to Minors

According to a report by Gazeta.Ru, a recent survey conducted by BestDoctor revealed that over half of Russians (55%) support a ban on the sale of e-cigarettes to minors. Additionally, nearly half of Russians (46%) advocate for a complete ban on the sale of e-cigarettes and e-liquids.

A survey also revealed that 34% of respondents believed that such a ban would help protect minors from the dangers of e-cigarettes, as they generally deemed the hazards of e-cigarettes to be evident. Additionally, 5% of respondents believed that this would contribute to reducing the number of deaths caused by vaping e-cigarettes.

Dr. Snezhanna Genin, a physician and oncology specialist at Besta Medical Group, comments, "Although it is commonly believed that e-cigarettes are harmless, this is not the case. Vape associated lung injury (VALI), caused by e-liquid, is considered a new disease by doctors due to its symptoms and presentation, resembling pneumonia, and is attributed to smoking e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes pose a particular danger to children and adolescents. Data shows that by early 2023, the number of Russian teenagers using e-cigarettes has increased tenfold compared to 2011. Therefore, from a medical perspective, proposals to restrict the sale of e-cigarettes are well-founded.

The interviewees expressed that they believe such restrictions would compel e-cigarette retailers to pay closer attention to the health of children and teenagers (in 34% of cases). Additionally, they also believe that promotional activities will decrease, which is a common occurrence among the younger generation, as they will no longer see e-cigarettes on store shelves or advertisements (in 28% of cases), and will no longer be influenced by popular influencers, movies, and TV shows (in 4% of cases).

Furthermore, a survey has shown that in Russia, the highest support for a total ban on e-cigarettes is found in Rostov Oblast, where 67% of citizens are in favor. Other cities that support the ban include Omsk (64%) and Kazan (63%). Every resident in Moscow and Saint Petersburg also supports a complete ban on e-cigarettes. The highest opposition to the ban is found in Ufa and Chelyabinsk, with 30% of respondents against it. In Krasnoyarsk, 28% of respondents oppose the ban, while in Tyumen and Nizhny Novgorod, the figures are 26% and 23% respectively. Moscow and Saint Petersburg have relatively lower levels of opposition, at 14% and 23% respectively.

According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), a total of 32 countries globally have implemented a complete ban on the sale of nicotine-containing electronic products. Additionally, 79 countries have implemented various control measures, including smoking bans in public places and restrictions on the advertising and promotion of e-cigarettes, due to their harmful effects on the human body. The global insurance industry has also expressed concern over this issue. Earlier in 2019, reinsurance companies recommended increasing insurance premiums for individuals who are avid consumers of e-cigarettes and e-liquid, as they face higher health risks. The survey results also revealed that one-fourth of Russians (25%) believe that insurance companies should refuse coverage for e-cigarette users due to increased risks.