New Low-priced BARZ Disposable E-cigarette in Russia

Feb.06.2023
New Low-priced BARZ Disposable E-cigarette in Russia
Vardex online platform in Russia sells disposable e-cigarette at a new low price, marking a potential shift in the market.

On the evening of February 5th Beijing time, staff members from 2FIRSTS, a media center in Moscow, found that Russia's largest compliant retail chain store VARDEX had lowered the price of its disposable electronic cigarette products on its online platform. The product is priced between 150 and 200 rubles (approximately 15-20 yuan), with 300 puffs and 1.1-1.3ml of e-liquid, and is from the electronic cigarette brand BARZ.


This is currently the cheapest and smallest electronic cigarette product on the Russian market.


Product sales information | Image source: VARDEX


Product for Sale | Image Source: VARDEX


Product on Sale | Image source: VARDEX


It is reported that before the release of this product, the lowest priced disposable e-cigarette on the Russian market was sold for 300-350 rubles (approximately 30-35 yuan), with 600 puffs and 2ml of e-liquid.


Considering the new e-cigarette taxation law that will take effect in the Russian Federation on March 1st, eliminating taxes on the device itself will undoubtedly significantly reduce the tax cost for retail prices of e-cigarette products. Consumption tax is fully linked to the nicotine content of the e-liquid, meaning that the lower the content, the lower the tax. This presents a new opportunity for disposable, low-nicotine e-cigarette products.


Currently, low-priced electronic cigarettes appearing on sales websites may be an attempt by manufacturers to adjust to the new tax laws. The retail price of these products is significantly lower than the previous lowest market price, with a drop of up to 100%. According to previous field research conducted by 2FIRSTS in the Russian market, it was difficult to purchase similar products even through the grey channels at a price of 150 rubles. It is expected that the Russian vape market will soon experience a wave of product changes.



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.

PMI Showcases ZYN, IQOS and U.S. Investments at NACS Show 2026
PMI Showcases ZYN, IQOS and U.S. Investments at NACS Show 2026
At the 2026 NACS Show in Las Vegas, Philip Morris International (PMI) showcased its ZYN nicotine pouches, IQOS heated tobacco products and U.S. investments. A 2Firsts review of FDA records found that several ZYN products displayed at the booth were not on the agency's marketing authorization list, including certain nicotine strengths and flavors. A PMI booth representative also confirmed that IQOS is currently sold in three U.S. states, while the newer IQOS ILUMA system remains under FDA review.
EXPO
Oct.10
Russia's Vape Ban Decisions Reach 17 Regions With 39 More Considering Laws, Putting Over 3,000 St. Petersburg Retail Outlets in Focus
Russia's Vape Ban Decisions Reach 17 Regions With 39 More Considering Laws, Putting Over 3,000 St. Petersburg Retail Outlets in Focus
Russia's regional vape retail restrictions are expanding. State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said on November 7 that 17 regions had adopted decisions to ban vape sales, while another 39 were preparing or considering similar legislation. On November 12, lawmakers in Leningrad Oblast and the Republic of Karelia adopted bans scheduled to begin on March 1, 2027. A day earlier, St. Petersburg unanimously approved a five-year ban proposal in its first reading. The city has 615 specialist vape shops and more than 2,400 other retail outlets selling vaping products alongside other goods. Under Federal Law No. 186-FZ, enacted in June 2026, Russian regions may prohibit retail sales of electronic nicotine delivery systems and related liquids between March 2027 and March 2032. The legislation also restricts licensed suppliers from delivering covered products to retail premises in regions where bans apply.
Regulations
Nov.13
Special Report | From New York to Washington: How FDA’s Tobacco Center Is Reworking Product Review
Special Report | From New York to Washington: How FDA’s Tobacco Center Is Reworking Product Review
FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products is reshaping how it approaches tobacco product review. Based on 2Firsts’ on-site reporting in New York and Washington, this report traces CTP’s emerging direction: stronger links between PMTA and tobacco harm reduction, more category-specific review, greater emphasis on decision-relevant science, more predictable timelines and expanded use of sPMTA for product modifications. CTP also acknowledged major constraints, including just nine PMTA review teams, persistent backlogs and limits on hiring capacity.
Regulations
Oct.08
Japan's Heated Tobacco Use Rises From 0.1% to 14.9% Over a Decade as Growth Extends Beyond Cigarette Switching
Japan's Heated Tobacco Use Rises From 0.1% to 14.9% Over a Decade as Growth Extends Beyond Cigarette Switching
A decade-long study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific found that heated tobacco product use in Japan increased from 0.1% in 2015 to 14.9% in 2025, although growth slowed after 2018. Switching from conventional cigarettes remained an important source of HTP uptake, while the contribution from previously non-current users increased. Approximately 56% of HTP users also smoked conventional cigarettes in 2025. Separate industry data show that Japan's heated tobacco sales reached 73.4 billion units in fiscal 2025, approaching conventional cigarette sales of 78.2 billion units.
SCIENCE
Nov.10
Product | Philip Morris Launches TEREA Bold Red and Bold Black in Germany With Level-10 Tobacco Intensity at €8 per Pack
Product | Philip Morris Launches TEREA Bold Red and Bold Black in Germany With Level-10 Tobacco Intensity at €8 per Pack
Philip Morris International (PMI) introduced TEREA Bold Red and Bold Black heated tobacco sticks in Germany in October 2026, both carrying a brand-rated tobacco-flavor intensity of 10, the highest level in the country's TEREA portfolio. Bold Red features leather and warm woody notes, while Bold Black combines woody and subtle floral notes. Both are sold in 20-stick packs at €8, approximately 2.6% above standard TEREA products. Germany's TEREA range now includes 11 flavor variants, alongside a separate 26-stick XL format priced at €10. IQOS Germany announced the new products on October 12, followed by a phased retail rollout from late October and an IQOS Club campaign running through December.
product
Nov.02
India Duty-Free Nicotine Pouch Sales Face Regulatory Test as ZYN, FOX Classification Remains Open
India Duty-Free Nicotine Pouch Sales Face Regulatory Test as ZYN, FOX Classification Remains Open
The Bombay High Court has ruled that airport duty-free shops are not exempt from India's domestic regulatory laws merely because they operate beyond the customs barrier, leaving in place a sales halt covering ZYN and FOX nicotine pouches at Mumbai's international airport. The court, however, did not determine that the products necessarily qualify as "drugs" under India's Drugs and Cosmetics Act. The retailers have four weeks to submit product information to the appropriate authorities, including CDSCO, which must complete its review within 30 days of receiving the submissions.
Sep.24