Key Points
- Policy Source: Ministry of Finance draft amendment to the tobacco licensing bill.
- Timeline: Regions may implement bans between September 2026 and September 2031.
- Enforcement: Retailers and suppliers violating bans will have licenses revoked.
- Political Support: President Vladimir Putin has publicly backed stronger vape regulation.
- Next Step: The bill’s first reading is scheduled for November 19 in the State Duma.
2Firsts — November 19, 2025 — According to RBC ,Russia’s Ministry of Finance has drafted government amendments to the existing bill on licensing retail trade of tobacco and nicotine-containing products, granting regional authorities the right to impose bans on the sale of vapes and nicotine liquids at the regional level.
According to RBC, the proposal would empower regional governments, from September 1, 2026, to enact local laws prohibiting the retail sale of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and related liquids. The ban authority would remain valid through September 1, 2031.
Under the proposed changes, any store found selling vape products in a region where a ban is in effect would have its tobacco license revoked. Manufacturers and distributors supplying such products to retailers would also lose their licenses.
The Rosalkogoltabakcontrol agency, which oversees alcohol and tobacco regulation, has confirmed its awareness of and support for the amendments.
The bill was first introduced to the State Duma in September 2025 and is currently preparing for its first reading on November 19.
The initiative follows repeated calls from lawmakers, ministers, and governors for a nationwide vape ban. President Vladimir Putin expressed support earlier this month after a proposal from Yekaterina Leshchinskaya, head of the public movement Healthy Fatherland. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later clarified that the President viewed the idea as “worthy of consideration” but said it should be discussed “with experts and in parliament.”
Image source: RBC
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