Russian Academy of Sciences Scholar Calls for Comprehensive Ban on Tobacco Sales

Aug.07.2025
Russian Academy of Sciences Scholar Calls for Comprehensive Ban on Tobacco Sales
Russian scientist advocates for complete ban on tobacco sales, emphasizing importance of anti-smoking legislation to improve public health.

Key points:

A complete ban on tobacco sales will become Russia's new policy, Russian Academy scholars emphasize the importance of anti-smoking legislation. 

Russia is feared to further increase its efforts to control smoking, with a new proposal to restrict the addition of flavorings to e-liquids.


According to a report from m24 on August 6th, epidemiologist, academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and vice president of the Russian Academy of Education, Gennady Onishchenko, suggested that Russian laws should move towards a complete ban on the sale of tobacco.

 

Health Minister Onishchenko expressed this viewpoint in response to a suggestion by Deputy Speaker of the State Duma Boris Chernyshov to add warning images to tobacco heating system packaging. He emphasized the significant health risks of smoking and mentioned that Russia passed a law in 2013 aimed at preventing smoking, which regulates tobacco labeling, licensing, and sales locations.

 

Oney Senko clearly stated: "There is no need for more laws at this point, just some administrative regulations to completely ban the sale of these harmful substances.

 

Previously, a group of legislators led by Liberal Democratic Party leader Leonid Slutsky proposed a bill to ban the addition of flavorings in e-liquids. Party leader Slutsky stated that manufacturers enhance the attractiveness of their products through various additives, but they avoid discussing the true ingredients of e-liquids.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

U.S. Expands Illicit Vape Enforcement as ATF Brings PACT Act Powers Into Trade Fraud Task Force
U.S. Expands Illicit Vape Enforcement as ATF Brings PACT Act Powers Into Trade Fraud Task Force
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said on September 23 that it has joined the interagency Trade Fraud Task Force to strengthen enforcement against illegal, misdeclared and smuggled vape and tobacco products. ATF will bring its authority under the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act into the task force, including registration, reporting, shipping and record-inspection requirements covering interstate sales of electronic nicotine delivery systems. ATF said the move will strengthen its ability to trace illicit products from U.S. points of entry through domestic trafficking and distribution networks.
News
Sep.28 by 2Firsts Perspectives
2Firsts Interview | Cigarette Sales Fall as Smokeless Alternatives Gain in U.S. Convenience Stores, NACS Says
2Firsts Interview | Cigarette Sales Fall as Smokeless Alternatives Gain in U.S. Convenience Stores, NACS Says
Ahead of the 2026 NACS Show, 2Firsts interviewed Chris Rapanick, NACS managing director of research, on changes reshaping the U.S. convenience-store tobacco and nicotine market. NACS data show cigarette sales declining while smokeless alternatives, including nicotine pouches, continue to grow. The interview also examines higher OTP margins, shifting backbar space, weaker store traffic, regulatory uncertainty and NACS’ outlook for 2027, offering a retailer-side view of one of the world’s largest nicotine markets.
Interview
Oct.03
JTI Liggett Puts U.S. Value Cigarette Brands in Spotlight at 2026 NACS Show
JTI Liggett Puts U.S. Value Cigarette Brands in Spotlight at 2026 NACS Show
At the 2026 NACS Show in Las Vegas, JTI Liggett highlighted its value-priced cigarette portfolio, including LD and Montego, following JT Group's acquisition of Vector Group. The company's U.S. business reported market share gains, with LD sales volume rising 32.6% in the first half of 2026. Meanwhile, Ploom was displayed separately at Altria's booth under an existing partnership. JTI Liggett booth staff told 2Firsts that the company had not yet launched nicotine pouch products in the United States.
EXPO
Oct.09
Virginia Tobacco Retail Permit Takes Effect October 1, Covering Vapes as More Than 3,000 Businesses Apply in September
Virginia Tobacco Retail Permit Takes Effect October 1, Covering Vapes as More Than 3,000 Businesses Apply in September
Virginia's new retail tobacco permit system took effect October 1, requiring sellers of vapes, nicotine products and related devices and accessories to obtain a Retail Tobacco Permit for each business location. Virginia ABC said more than 3,000 businesses applied in September alone, creating a processing backlog. Qualifying applicants that filed before October 1 may temporarily operate under a Letter of Authorization. The new store-level permit also sits alongside Virginia's existing vape product directory, where sales of unlisted liquid nicotine or nicotine vapor products can trigger civil penalties starting at $5,000.
Regulations
Oct.03
Los Angeles Cracks Down on Illicit Flavored Vapes and Counterfeit Goods: 12 Businesses Searched, 24 Arrested, Eight Truckloads Seized
Los Angeles Cracks Down on Illicit Flavored Vapes and Counterfeit Goods: 12 Businesses Searched, 24 Arrested, Eight Truckloads Seized
Los Angeles authorities searched 12 businesses and arrested 24 people during a multi-agency operation targeting illicit flavored vaping products, flavored cigarettes and counterfeit merchandise on October 22, 2026. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said approximately eight tractor-trailer loads of merchandise were seized. Alleged violations involved flavored tobacco sales restrictions, tobacco licensing requirements and counterfeit trademark laws. Local, state and federal agencies participated. Authorities have not disclosed the number, brands or value of vaping products seized. Investigations remain ongoing.
Enforcement
Oct.28
Special Report|Japan Tobacco Buys CLEW: Can Its 160,000-Store Cigarette Network Help It Vie for U.S. Nicotine Pouch Share Against PMI and BAT?
Special Report|Japan Tobacco Buys CLEW: Can Its 160,000-Store Cigarette Network Help It Vie for U.S. Nicotine Pouch Share Against PMI and BAT?
Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) announced on November 12, 2026, that it had acquired the U.S. assets of nicotine pouch brand CLEW from Nevcore Innovations Inc., including trademarks, intellectual property, product formulations and a Premarket Tobacco Product Application (PMTA). CLEW, currently distributed through selected outlets in 13 U.S. states, will immediately join the JTI LIGGETT portfolio. The transaction follows JT's approximately $2.4 billion acquisition of U.S. cigarette maker Vector Group in 2024. JTI LIGGETT says its existing cigarette brands reach more than 160,000 U.S. retail stores. During the 2026 NACS Show in October, JTI LIGGETT booth staff told 2Firsts that the company had not yet launched nicotine pouches in the United States. Although Nevcore previously announced FDA acceptance of CLEW's PMTA, the brand is absent from the agency's current list of authorized nicotine pouch products. JT has not disclosed a retail expansion plan for CLEW.
Business
Nov.12