Russia Proposes National License for Tobacco and E-Cigarette Products

Apr.13.2023
Russia Proposes National License for Tobacco and E-Cigarette Products
Russia proposes state licensing for tobacco and e-nicotine product production, storage, and supply.

On April 12th, according to the Russian media outlet "Parliamentary Gazette", the Russian government has proposed that the production, storage, and supply of cigarettes, tobacco, and electronic nicotine products should require a state license. The State Duma approved the bill (No. 310882-8 and No. 310820-8) on its first reading during a plenary session held on this day.


The bill introduces regulations for the production and distribution of tobacco and nicotine-containing products and their raw materials. This includes regulation of both traditional and electronic cigarettes. The bill outlines standards for these products and stipulates that relevant technological equipment must be registered with the appropriate authorities.


The proposed legislation mandates that the production, storage, and supply of cigarettes, tobacco, and nicotine products all require a license. As of March 1, 2024, possession of a license will become mandatory. Should tobacco producers be found without a license, have their license suspended, or have their license revoked, their production equipment will be sealed.


Alexei Sazanov, the Deputy Minister of Finance of Russia, has announced plans to use a monitoring information system based on "honest labeling" to track the production and distribution of tobacco and nicotine products. The sale of these products will only be allowed with proper documentation proving their legality. Additionally, there is a proposal to prohibit the sale of unpackaged cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and tobacco products.


2FIRSTS will provide an interpretation of this proposal. Stay tuned for further updates.


Topic: Progress of Russia's ban on flavored electronic cigarettes and expert analysis (click on the image below to be directed).


Related Reading:


What is the current progress of the ban on flavored tobacco in Russia's legislative process?


The timeline and background of Russia's ban on certain flavors laid out in a bill passed through three readings in one day.


On September 1st, the ban on flavored additives in e-cigarettes in Russia will come into effect. The full proposal text is attached. On April 11th, Russia will hold its first discussion on the proposal to ban flavored e-cigarettes.


Russia proposes imposing a maximum fine of 500,000 rubles for selling electronic cigarettes to minors.


Russian Prime Minister Mishustin is considering banning e-cigarettes.


References:


The bills regarding the regulation of the tobacco market have passed the first reading.



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.

Ireland Vape Bill Passes Dáil, Setting Limits on Flavours, Packaging and Retail Display
Ireland Vape Bill Passes Dáil, Setting Limits on Flavours, Packaging and Retail Display
Ireland’s Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill 2026 has passed final stage in the Dáil and will move to the Seanad, with measures to limit vape flavours to tobacco or unflavoured products and tighten rules on packaging colours, retail advertising, in-store displays and sales of nicotine pouches to minors.
News
Jun.26 by 2Firsts Perspectives
China Tobacco International HK Warns First-Half Revenue May Fall 25%-30%, Tobacco Leaf and Duty-Free Exposure Highlight Reliance on Traditional Tobacco
China Tobacco International HK Warns First-Half Revenue May Fall 25%-30%, Tobacco Leaf and Duty-Free Exposure Highlight Reliance on Traditional Tobacco
CTIHK expects first-half 2026 revenue to fall 25%-30%, mainly due to lower tobacco leaf imports and delayed cigarette shipments to China’s domestic duty-free market. Its 2025 revenue mix—nearly 90% from tobacco leaf-related businesses and less than 1% from new tobacco products—shows continued exposure to traditional supply chains and trade variables.
Jun.18
Sesh touts independence, 8VC backing and retail reach as it challenges tobacco-owned pouch brands
Sesh touts independence, 8VC backing and retail reach as it challenges tobacco-owned pouch brands
U.S. nicotine pouch brand Sesh has emphasized its independence from Altria, Philip Morris International and British American Tobacco, along with backing from investors including 8VC, celebrity supporters and a retail footprint of more than 7,500 stores, as it seeks to differentiate itself in a market where major pouch brands are owned by large tobacco companies.
Regulations
Jul.07 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Dutch NVWA Seizes Record 277,000 Illegal Vapes; Video Shows “AL FAKHER” Cartons
Dutch NVWA Seizes Record 277,000 Illegal Vapes; Video Shows “AL FAKHER” Cartons
The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, known as the NVWA, seized more than 277,000 illegal vapes near Rotterdam and nearly 150,000 boxes of nicotine pouches in Utrecht and Rotterdam, calling them the largest batches of such products it has found to date. Video footage released by the NVWA shows some cartons in the warehouse bearing the “AL FAKHER / الفاخر” name, though the agency did not identify brands.
Jul.10
Data|China’s May Vape Exports Fall 10.3%; January–May Shipments Slip 0.9%
Data|China’s May Vape Exports Fall 10.3%; January–May Shipments Slip 0.9%
China’s vape-related exports fell 10.25% year on year in May 2026, marking a second consecutive monthly decline, although exports recovered modestly from April. January-May exports totaled US$4.018 billion, down 0.86% from a year earlier and broadly in line with 2025 levels.
Special Report
Jun.29
Product | VELO Launches Tomorrowland Limited Edition 2026 as Festival IP Enters Nicotine Pouch Packaging
Product | VELO Launches Tomorrowland Limited Edition 2026 as Festival IP Enters Nicotine Pouch Packaging
BAT’s nicotine pouch brand VELO has introduced the Tomorrowland Limited Edition 2026. Public retail-channel information shows the product has appeared across multiple European online platforms, while Haypp UK has listed related SKUs with a “Coming soon” status. The packaging carries the wording “Official Tomorrowland Partner,” indicating that the collection is part of VELO’s official collaboration with the electronic music festival brand.
Jul.02