Promoting Genuine Tobacco Products in Russia

Nov.22.2022
Promoting Genuine Tobacco Products in Russia
Alexei Sinitsyn, deputy chairman of the Economic Policy Committee of the Federation Council, called for the elimination of counterfeit tobacco products.

The First Deputy Chairman of the Economic Policy Committee of the Federation Council of Russia, Alexei Sinitsyn. Photo source: ВМЕСТЕ РФ.


In a news report from Federal Information Channel, Alexei Sinitsyn, the first deputy chairman of the Federal Committee's Economic Policy Committee, pointed out at a roundtable discussion specifically focused on the tobacco industry that counterfeit products must be eliminated from the domestic tobacco market.


According to him, despite various efforts made by the nation, the pace at which Russians quit smoking remains slow. Data from Rosstat (Federal State Statistics Service) shows that over 20% of Russian adults smoke, a figure which has remained unchanged for several years. Increasing prices will only make cigarettes more affordable.


The government's role is to establish regulations that will help to standardize the industry, or at least prevent it from entering a massive grey area. The industry's general issues have been repeatedly discussed in various locations, with the main problem being a significant difference in consumption tax rates between Russia and neighboring EAEU countries. SenatInformSinitsyn stated that the government has taken measures to address this issue, but many sectors of the Russian economy, including tobacco, are experiencing significant changes related to unfriendly countries' sanction policies this year.


According to data from Rosstat, the production of legal cigarettes decreased by over 17% in the first half of this year. Meanwhile, the percentage of counterfeit cigarettes is on the rise. According to data from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, over 12% of cigarettes in the country are now counterfeit, up from 11.5% a year ago. The resulting budget loss is estimated at 70 billion rubles, or roughly 8.2 billion yuan.


Statement:


This article compiles information from a third-party source and is intended for internal industry exchange and learning only.


This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS, and 2FIRSTS cannot confirm the authenticity or accuracy of the contents of the article. The compilation of this article is solely for communication and research within the industry.


Due to limitations in translation ability, the article translation may not fully reflect the original text. Please refer to the original text for accuracy.


2FIRSTS is fully aligned with the Chinese government regarding any domestic, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan-related, and foreign statements and positions.


Copyright of compiled information belongs to the original media and authors. If there is any infringement, please contact us for deletion.



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.

2Firsts Hosts UK Vape Duty Stamp Compliance Exchange in Shenzhen
2Firsts Hosts UK Vape Duty Stamp Compliance Exchange in Shenzhen
2Firsts held a UK vape duty stamp compliance exchange in Shenzhen on May 14, bringing together representatives from nearly 20 companies. The session addressed Vaping Products Duty, duty stamp applications, UK agency qualifications and warehousing, while introducing 2Firsts Compliance Solutions’ UK service.
Events
May.17
 Zyn Emerges as MAGA Cultural Symbol Amid FDA Policy Shift
Zyn Emerges as MAGA Cultural Symbol Amid FDA Policy Shift
According to The Wall Street Journal, nicotine pouch brand Zyn has rapidly gained popularity across the Trump administration and conservative political circles, including among U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Business
May.20
South Korea’s Cigarette Smoking Rate Falls to 17.9%, E-Cigarette Use Continues to Rise
South Korea’s Cigarette Smoking Rate Falls to 17.9%, E-Cigarette Use Continues to Rise
Data released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) showed South Korea’s conventional cigarette smoking rate fell to 17.9% in 2025, while heated tobacco and liquid e-cigarette use continued to rise, particularly among young adults and women.
Jun.01
Altria Reports Q1 2026 Net Revenues of $5.43 Billion and 7.3% Growth in Adjusted Diluted EPS
Altria Reports Q1 2026 Net Revenues of $5.43 Billion and 7.3% Growth in Adjusted Diluted EPS
Altria Group reported its first-quarter 2026 results on April 30. Net revenues were $5.43 billion, up 3.2% year on year, while revenues net of excise taxes were $4.76 billion, up 5.3%. Reported diluted EPS was $1.30, up more than 100%, and adjusted diluted EPS was $1.32, up 7.3%.
May.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Malaysian Tobacco Control Groups Call for Annual 5% Tobacco Tax Hike
Malaysian Tobacco Control Groups Call for Annual 5% Tobacco Tax Hike
According to The Star and The Edge Malaysia, tobacco control groups in Malaysia have urged the government to raise tobacco taxes by at least 5% annually, saying the measure could reduce smoking rates and fund public health and social programmes.
News
May.26
EU Launches Online Feedback as TPD Revision Enters New Milestone
EU Launches Online Feedback as TPD Revision Enters New Milestone
The European Commission has opened an online call for evidence on revising EU tobacco products and advertising rules, marking a new phase in the TPD/TAD review. Policy options may cover novel products, flavours, packaging, digital marketing and advertising. A 2Firsts review of 855 early submissions shows rapid engagement and recurring debate over differentiated regulation, harm reduction, youth protection, illicit trade and economic impact.
Special Report
May.21