Proposed Ban on Nicotine Products for Younger Generation

On April 15th, lawmakers in St. Petersburg, Russia proposed a bill to ban the sale, purchase and consumption of nicotine-containing products to individuals born after January 1st, 2011. The bill has been accepted for review by the St. Petersburg City Council and, if approved, will be presented to the Russian Parliament for further discussion.

The bill was proposed by St. Petersburg councilman Yuri Gladunov, who explained the necessity of the legislation on his personal VK page.

Yuri Gladunov, image source: federalcity.

Yuri stated that "the innovation in the amendment lies in its ban on the sale of tobacco and nicotine-containing products, including hookah and newly-invented electronic cigarettes, and raising the age limit for these products.

According to 2FIRSTS, Yuri proposed a bill similar to New Zealand's Smoke-free Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Act, which aims to prohibit a certain generation from using tobacco products ("generation smoking ban").

Yuri also suggested authorizing federal authorities to develop and implement a phased plan to completely reduce the production of tobacco and nicotine-containing products, as well as to reduce the use of equipment for their consumption and water pipes.

Yuri predicts that if the bill is passed before 2025, minors under the age of 14 will not be able to use, purchase, or possess any tobacco products, and those who buy tobacco products thereafter must present a passport or identity document. This will prevent them from having access to any tobacco products.

According to reports, the St. Petersburg council has passed a law imposing fines for smoking in dormitories and public apartments.

Read also:

New Zealand passes final law on combustible tobacco.

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Saint Petersburg deputies have proposed a ban on the sale of cigarettes to individuals born after January 1, 2011.