PMI supports new tobacco regulation in Russia

PMI has thrown its support behind a new law in Russia that has been approved by the government and submitted to parliament. The law aims to regulate the production and sale of tobacco products, tobacco derivatives, nicotine-containing products, and their raw materials through national oversight.

Pharmo International has expressed support for a new initiative in Russia aimed at strengthening regulations and implementing comprehensive and systematic monitoring of the tobacco and nicotine product market. The company stated that the bill will enhance existing measures against illegal trade and introduce new measures to reduce the likelihood of illegal products entering the Russian market. These new measures include monitoring production equipment and requiring licenses for raw material production and importation.

The company also noted that the implementation of the new law will help increase government budget revenue.

According to 2FIRSTS, the final version of the bill will include provisions stating that producing, purchasing, storing, supplying (including importing into or exporting from the Russian Federation) tobacco products, tobacco goods, nicotine-containing products, and their production materials on a large scale without the appropriate license will be subject to fines of 500,000 to 1 million rubles (45,000 to 90,000 yuan) or the equivalent of 1 to 3 years of the offender's income, or imprisonment for 1 to 3 years.

Further Reading:

The Russian Ministry of Finance has suggested imposing criminal penalties for the sale of counterfeit cigarettes, among other offenses. The maximum penalty could be up to three years of forced labor or a fine.

Reference:

Philip Morris seeks to strengthen control over tobacco sales.