On February 17th, a long-discussed plan to have the Russian Alcohol Regulator (RAR) take control of the tobacco market in Russia is slowly being put into effect. The Russian Ministry of Finance plans to submit the relevant legislation to the State Duma at the end of February or beginning of March.
George Golovanov, Deputy Minister and State Counselor for the Russian Ministry of Finance, has announced plans to expand the regulatory powers of the Federal Service for the Regulation of Alcohol and Tobacco (RAR) to cover nicotine-containing products. The new agency may be referred to as the "Russian Alcohol and Tobacco Control Bureau.
Furthermore, RAR is planning to utilize two information systems. Alongside the current use of the federal product traceability system (EGAIS), the tobacco sector will also adopt the goods circulation supervision information system (for products that require mandatory labeling) to support the initiative. Currently, a mandatory labeling system for cigarettes is enforced under the name "Honest Label".
In response to concerns from the public about issues such as when new measures will be announced and when management control will be transferred to RAR, Golovanov stated that this information will be released after the bill is passed by the State Duma. The bill proposes a series of measures to improve regulation of the tobacco market and is expected to be submitted to the State Duma in late February to early March. During the regulatory amendment phase, RAR's functions will be expanded because these regulations will include provisions regarding the Ministry of Finance and the Russian Federal Alcohol Regulation Agency.
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The suggestion has been made to transform Rosalcoholregulation into Rosalcoholtobaccocontrol.
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