Proposal for Determining the Minimum Price of Nicotine Products

Aug.15.2023
Proposal for Determining the Minimum Price of Nicotine Products
Russia's Ministry of Finance proposes setting a minimum price for nicotine products in circulation and sales within the country.

On August 11, according to a report by TASS, the Russian Ministry of Finance has put forward a proposal to determine the minimum price for the circulation and sale of nicotine products (excluding export to areas outside Russia and the Eurasian Economic Union). The draft government resolution for this proposal was drafted by the Ministry of Finance and published on a legal portal website.


According to the explanation, the method proposed has already been applied in the Ministry of Agriculture's formulation of the minimum prices for tobacco products.


Meanwhile, e-cigarette liquids and hookah tobacco mixtures that do not contain nicotine are currently exempt from tobacco taxation.


Therefore, in formulating the formula to determine the lowest prices of these products, the tax rates of similar products such as e-cigarette liquid and water pipe tobacco are utilized.


According to the report, the proposal outlines steps to determine the minimum prices of heated tobacco products, e-cigarette liquid (including nicotine e-liquid and non-nicotine e-liquid), and non-tobacco hookah tobacco mixtures. The formula in the draft is summarized as a general form, and its calculation method is as follows:


The lowest price is equal to the tax rate on unit quality or volume multiplied by (1 + value added tax rate) multiplied by an increase factor. In the given formula, the increase factor reflects the production cost or import cost of the product, as well as logistics and infrastructure maintenance expenses. When calculating these factors, data on the cost and purchase price of manufacturers and importers of the relevant types of products are also considered.


The document indicates that...


The increase coefficient in this formula reflects the production costs of a product or the procurement costs of an importer, as well as logistics and infrastructure maintenance costs. When calculating these coefficients, cost and procurement price data from manufacturers and importers of related types of products are also used.


The implementation of a minimum price will affect the illicit portion of the nicotine products market. However, it is worth noting that wholesalers and retailers who operate honestly have already been selling nicotine products at prices higher than the minimum price. Therefore, these businesses will not be affected by the resolution if it is passed.


References:


The Ministry of Finance has developed a procedure for determining the minimum price for nicotine-containing products.



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.

Product | Philip Morris Korea Launches TEREA Limona Pearl, Expanding Fresh Blend Capsule Lineup to Five
Product | Philip Morris Korea Launches TEREA Limona Pearl, Expanding Fresh Blend Capsule Lineup to Five
Philip Morris Korea launched TEREA Limona Pearl in South Korea on August 31, 2026, expanding the TEREA Fresh Blend capsule tobacco stick lineup from four variants to five. Designed for the IQOS ILUMA series, the new stick combines a capsule with what the company calls a Fresh Filter. Philip Morris Korea describes the product as offering an aromatic, refreshing flavor profile with a cooling sensation, with an additional fresh note released when the capsule is crushed. The recommended retail price is KRW 4,800 per pack, with sales through IQOS stores and convenience stores nationwide. No reliable evidence has been found that the same Limona Pearl SKU was previously officially launched in another major IQOS market.
Sep.01
BAT’s Velo Study Finds 61% of Nicotine Users Feel More Comfortable Expressing Themselves When Others Do the Same
BAT’s Velo Study Finds 61% of Nicotine Users Feel More Comfortable Expressing Themselves When Others Do the Same
British American Tobacco’s (BAT) nicotine pouch brand Velo has released a global consumer study and launched its “Echoes of Tomorrowland” campaign with electronic music festival brand Tomorrowland. The research surveyed 2,009 nicotine users across the UK, Spain, Pakistan, Poland and Austria. Velo said 61% of respondents feel more comfortable expressing themselves when they see others doing the same, while 39% said building meaningful connections becomes harder with age. The campaign reflects how nicotine pouch brands are increasingly using music, communities and lifestyle marketing to build consumer engagement.
Aug.10
IQOS Global Flagship Space to Open in Tokyo Ginza as PMI Expands Consumer Experience Strategy
IQOS Global Flagship Space to Open in Tokyo Ginza as PMI Expands Consumer Experience Strategy
Philip Morris Japan (PMJ) announced that it will open “IQOS Flagship Ginza” in Tokyo on September 4, 2026. The location will become the first global flagship space for PMI’s IQOS brand. PMJ said the venue will target adult smokers aged 20 and above and combine product experiences, community engagement and local cultural elements. The design will incorporate Japanese natural aesthetics and traditional craftsmanship. The launch reflects PMI’s broader strategy of strengthening consumer engagement through experiential retail and brand spaces. The existing IQOS Store Ginza is scheduled to close on August 30, 2026.
Jul.21
Product | IQOS ILUMA i REMIX Limited Edition Launches in Japan, Bringing New Design Elements to Heated Tobacco Devices
Product | IQOS ILUMA i REMIX Limited Edition Launches in Japan, Bringing New Design Elements to Heated Tobacco Devices
Philip Morris Japan (PM Japan) has introduced the IQOS ILUMA i REMIX Limited Edition series, including the IQOS ILUMA i Prime REMIX, IQOS ILUMA i REMIX and IQOS ILUMA i ONE REMIX devices. The limited-edition models were officially announced in Japan on June 9, 2026, and began a phased market rollout from June 10. Featuring gradient color designs and visual customization elements, the collection highlights PMI’s continued use of limited editions to enhance brand experience within its heated tobacco portfolio.
Innovation
Jul.21 by 2Firsts Perspectives
BAT Regional Director Fred Monteiro Supports Spain’s Nicotine Rules but Opposes 0.99mg Nicotine Pouch Limit
BAT Regional Director Fred Monteiro Supports Spain’s Nicotine Rules but Opposes 0.99mg Nicotine Pouch Limit
Spanish newspaper El Confidencial interviewed Fred Monteiro, Regional Director for Americas and Europe at British American Tobacco (BAT). Monteiro said BAT supports setting regulatory limits for nicotine products but opposes Spain’s proposed 0.99mg nicotine-per-pouch limit, arguing that such a restriction could affect adult smokers’ transition to alternatives. He said nicotine regulation should be based on scientific evidence and harm reduction principles. Monteiro also said smoke-free products now account for around 25% of BAT’s Americas and Europe business and nearly 30% of its Europe business
BAT
Jul.30
California Lawmakers Pass Disposable Nicotine Vape Ban, With Sales Prohibition Set for 2028
California Lawmakers Pass Disposable Nicotine Vape Ban, With Sales Prohibition Set for 2028
According to CBS Los Angeles on August 27, 2026, California lawmakers have passed Assembly Bill 762, which would phase out disposable, battery-embedded nicotine vapes in the state. If signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, manufacturing and importation of the covered products would be prohibited beginning January 1, 2027, followed by a sales ban on January 1, 2028. Driven primarily by concerns over electronic waste, lithium-battery fires and environmental pollution, the legislation would further shift California’s legal vape market toward rechargeable, refillable or replaceable-pod devices.
Aug.28