New Russian Law Comes Into Effect: Unlabeled Nicotine Products in Circulation Could Face Up to Three Years in Prison

Key points:

·New Law Implemented: Starting from August 3, 2023, Russia will impose criminal penalties on unmarked nicotine-containing products (including e-liquids). 

·Penalties: Manufacturers and sellers who violate labeling regulations may face fines of up to 500,000 rubles (approximately $5,000), forced labor, up to three years in prison, and an additional fine of 120,000 rubles (approximately $1,200). 

·Scale of Violation: Unmarked products with a circulation amount exceeding 100,000 rubles (approximately $1,000) are considered large-scale violations, while those exceeding 1 million rubles (approximately $10,000) are classified as particularly large-scale violations. 

·Health Risks: Experts point out that using e-cigarettes may lead to allergic reactions, manifested as itching, swelling, rashes, etc.

【2Firsts News Flash】According to a report on August 3, Russia has implemented a new law that imposes criminal penalties on the circulation of unmarked nicotine products (including e-liquid) starting from August 3. This means that not only unmarked tobacco products, but also all unmarked nicotine products will be subject to legal sanctions.

According to the legal text, manufacturers and sellers who violate labeling regulations may be fined up to a maximum of 500,000 rubles (approximately $5,000). In addition, alternative penalties such as forced labor or imprisonment for up to three years, as well as an additional fine of up to 120,000 rubles (approximately $1,200), are also specified.

According to the law, the distribution of unmarked products exceeding 100,000 rubles (approximately $1,000) is considered a large-scale violation. When the amount exceeds 1 million rubles (approximately $10,000), it is classified as a particularly large-scale violation.

Earlier, immunologist Tatiana Ustinova had mentioned that the use of e-cigarettes may lead to allergic reactions. This is due to the toxic substances found in e-liquid and produced during heating. According to her information, allergies to e-cigarettes typically manifest as itching, eyelid swelling, rash, and other symptoms.