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.

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
2Firsts Data | China’s Vape Exports Rise 3.1% in H1 2026 as 6-Methyl Nicotine-Related Products Surge 65.2%
2Firsts Data | China’s Vape Exports Rise 3.1% in H1 2026 as 6-Methyl Nicotine-Related Products Surge 65.2%
China’s vape exports showed resilience in the first half of 2026 after a short-term shock from China’s export rebate adjustment. But customs data points to more than a simple recovery: the structure of growth is changing. Vaping devices and atomization hardware emerged as the strongest growth driver, while nicotine-containing vaping products remained broadly stable. Meanwhile, nicotine substitute-related products represented by 6-methyl nicotine expanded rapidly, becoming a new category to watch for both industry and regulators. After the U.S. market went through a cycle of shortages, replenishment and inventory rebuilding in 2025, China’s vape supply chain is entering a new phase of reallocation.
Special Report
Jul.20
U.S. Convenience Stores Rebalance Backbar as Nicotine Pouches Outpace Cigarettes
U.S. Convenience Stores Rebalance Backbar as Nicotine Pouches Outpace Cigarettes
As cigarette volumes continue to decline, U.S. convenience-store operators are reconfiguring backbar space to accommodate modern oral nicotine products such as nicotine pouches. Industry data show nicotine pouches have become one of the fastest-growing nicotine categories while generating higher margins for retailers.
Jun.12
Argentina Updates Health Warning Rules to Include Vapes and Nicotine Pouches
Argentina Updates Health Warning Rules to Include Vapes and Nicotine Pouches
Argentina’s Ministry of Health has updated its health warning rules for tobacco and nicotine products, adding e-cigarettes, vapes, heated tobacco products, sticks and nicotine pouches to mandatory warning requirements.
Jul.08
Ukrainian Media: Polish Vape Distributor Evapify Allegedly Linked to Russian Businessman Named in U.S. “Russia Oligarch Report”
Ukrainian Media: Polish Vape Distributor Evapify Allegedly Linked to Russian Businessman Named in U.S. “Russia Oligarch Report”
According to an investigative report by Euromaidan Press, a Ukrainian English-language independent media outlet, Russian businessman Oleg Boyko has been sanctioned by Ukraine, Poland, Australia and Canada, but has not been added to the European Union’s sanctions list. The report alleges that Evapify, a Polish vape distributor with financial and personal ties to Boyko, holds a significant position in Poland’s disposable vape market.
News
Jun.01
Reuters: India Seeks to Dismiss Adani Nicotine Pouch Challenge as Mumbai Airport Dispute Moves to Court
Reuters: India Seeks to Dismiss Adani Nicotine Pouch Challenge as Mumbai Airport Dispute Moves to Court
Reuters reported on July 13, 2026, that India is seeking to dismiss Adani Airports’ legal challenge over nicotine pouch sales at Mumbai International Airport’s duty-free shops. Adani denies wrongdoing and argues that existing drug and cosmetics regulations do not apply to duty-free sales or nicotine pouches.
Innovation
Jul.14 by 2Firsts Perspectives