Russia Proposes New Law on Tobacco Control

On March 20th, the Russian State Duma's Committee on State Building and Legislation suggested that the lower house approve a bill in its first reading that would establish administrative and criminal liabilities for the production and circulation of tobacco and tobacco products without proper permits.

This proposed law pertains to the regulation of the production and distribution of tobacco products, nicotine-containing products, and their manufacturing materials.

Proposal to expand Article 171.3 of the Russian Federation Criminal Code, which stipulates penalties for illegal production and/or distribution of ethanol, alcohol, and alcoholic products. The proposed bill introduces regulation of tobacco products, tobacco items, nicotine-containing products, and their raw materials. Therefore, large-scale production, procurement, supply, and storage of tobacco products, tobacco items, nicotine-containing products, and their raw materials without proper permits will be subject to fines ranging from 500,000 to 10,000,000 rubles (approximately 44,400 to 88,800 yuan), or a maximum of 3 years of forced labor or imprisonment.

A proposal has been put forward to add Article 14.67 to the Administrative Code of Illegal Actions, which would prohibit the production or distribution of tobacco products, tobacco, and nicotine-containing products or their raw materials without proper licenses. Violators would face fines ranging from 150,000 to 300,000 rubles (approximately 13,300-26,600 yuan) and confiscation of their products, equipment, and raw materials. Companies found in violation would be fined between 300,000 and 1,000,000 rubles (approximately 26,600-88,800 yuan) and suffer confiscation of their products, equipment, and raw materials.

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The State Duma was recommended to adopt legislative proposals on punishment for trading tobacco without a license.