Key Points
• Jurisdiction: Rostov Region, Russia
• Legislative track: a full vape sales ban is slated for the regional parliament’s 2026 work plan
• Federal backdrop: the State Duma is considering giving regions authority to ban vape sales; the initiative is said to have presidential support
• Market estimates (as cited): illicit tobacco ~9.5%; illicit vapes/other nicotine products ~80–90%
• Policy direction: Rostov supports granting regions the right to impose additional tobacco retail restrictions
2Firsts, Jan 27, 2026
According to Vedomosti Yug, Russia’s Rostov region is preparing a tougher regulatory push targeting vapes and tobacco retail.
Igor Burakov (Igor Burakov), chair of the Rostov regional parliament’s committee on economic policy, said during a thematic discussion that the State Duma is considering legislation to grant regions the authority to impose bans on vape sales, an initiative he said is supported by the Russian president. Burakov added that Rostov intends to be among the first regions to introduce such restrictions, with a corresponding draft law already included in the regional legislature’s 2026 legislative plan.
Burakov also cited estimates on illicit trade, putting illegal tobacco at an average of 9.5% nationwide, while illicit vapes and other nicotine-containing products may reach 80–90%. He noted that the full scale of the health threat posed by vapes is still not fully understood because not all studies have been completed.
Beyond vapes, Burakov said Rostov supports giving regions the right to introduce additional restrictions on tobacco sales—potentially extending limitations beyond the vicinity of general education institutions to other social facilities.
Image source: Vedomosti South
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