New Law in Russia Increases Penalties for Selling Tobacco to Minors

Feb.21.2025
New Law in Russia Increases Penalties for Selling Tobacco to Minors
Amendments to the Administrative Violations Code in Russia have increased penalties for selling tobacco to minors, effective February 14.

According to INTERFAX on February 14, the amendment to the Administrative Violations Law, which aims to increase penalties for selling tobacco products to minors, officially went into effect on Friday, the 14th.

 

The amendment stipulates that violators can face a maximum fine of 2 million rubles (20,000 US dollars). The bill was jointly drafted by the Chairman of the Russian State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, and leaders of various political parties.

 

Volodin, in his evaluation of the law, pointed out that despite the previous ban on selling tobacco products to minors, there are still people who continue to break the law.

 

According to a survey, over 70% of teenagers aged 11 to 17 said they were never asked for identification when purchasing e-cigarettes or tobacco products. If adults fail to understand their responsibility to protect the health and safety of children, or worse, attempt to profit from it, there must be increased fines and legal consequences to deter such behavior.

 

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