Rosstandart: packaging and design requirements for vapes to be tightened in early 2026

Key points

• Authority: Rosstandart head Anton Shalaev

• Timing: tightening in early 2026; amendments prepared in late 2025

• Packaging: larger share to contain information and depictions of negative smoking consequences

• Design: additional components must not imitate game plots/elements to deter children’s interest

• Publication note: full interview text scheduled for Jan. 12 at 10:00 Moscow time

2Firsts, January 12, 2026 – According to TASS, Rosstandart head Anton Shalaev said requirements for the packaging and design of vapes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems in Russia will be tightened in early 2026.

Shalaev said a larger portion of packaging should be occupied by information about the negative consequences of smoking. He noted that traditional cigarette packs already feature large areas with negative images warning about smoking harms, while vapes do not, and said the aim is for a significant part of vape packaging to depict negative consequences.

He also said any additional components in the design of electronic nicotine delivery systems should not imitate game plots or game-like elements. He said everything should be clear, avoid attracting children’s interest, and deter them from vapes.

Shalaev said that while vapes and electronic nicotine delivery systems are not banned in Russia, standards should be used to protect the younger generation from harmful products as much as possible. He said current GOST standards already require packaging not to contain attention-grabbing images, but practice showed that was insufficient. He added that in late 2025, together with colleagues from the State Duma committee on youth policy, they prepared a major set of amendments tightening these requirements, which will be adopted in early 2026.

TASS also reported that the full interview text will be published on Jan. 12 at 10:00 Moscow time.

Image Source: TASS