Russian Lawmakers Propose Criminalizing E-Cigarette Manufacture and Distribution, Citing Health Risks

Key Points:

A member of the Russian State Duma's "A Just Russia - For Truth" (SRZP) party has written to the Minister of Internal Affairs proposing amendments to the Criminal Code to include the manufacture, storage, sale, and use of e-cigarettes in the criminal penalty system, following the model of drug offenses. 

The proposal states that criminalizing e-cigarettes will help unify the qualitative standards for illegal behavior, eliminate enforcement gray areas, and limit the risk of abuse as a potential "dangerous substance distribution medium." 

The lawmaker believes that e-cigarettes are transitioning from "fashion accessories" to channels for spreading harmful substances and that a clear system of criminal responsibility is urgently needed to protect public health, especially that of minors. 

The party previously drafted legislation defining "e-cigarette devices" and "nicotine-containing liquids" for the first time, and it proposes fines for illegal sales: individuals face fines of 50,000 to 200,000 rubles, officials 300,000 to 500,000 rubles, and legal entities 1 million to 2 million rubles.

On October 14, 2025, according to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, a member of the State Duma of Russia from the "A Just Russia - For Truth" party (SRZP) submitted a proposal to Minister of Internal Affairs Vladimir Kolokoltsev suggesting that the manufacturing, storage, distribution, and use of e-cigarettes should be included in criminal liability, with penalties similar to those for drug crimes.

The proposal was put forward by Dmitry Gusev, the deputy chairman of the SRZP parliamentary group in the State Duma, and Elena Drapeko, a member of the group. The letter stated:

There is a suggestion to consider amending the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation to establish specific criminal responsibility for the manufacture, storage, distribution, and use of e-cigarettes and their e-liquids, based on the criminal definitions in the drug trafficking field.

The lawmakers believe that this move will help to standardize law enforcement standards, eliminate legal loopholes, and prevent abuse. Gu Xie expressed that "e-cigarettes are gradually transitioning from fashion accessories to tools for spreading dangerous substances, and a clear system of responsibility must be established to protect the health of the public, especially young people.

The report highlighted that the SRZP party had previously introduced an administrative penalty bill, which for the first time defined "e-cigarette devices" and "nicotine-containing liquids" and established fines for retail and wholesale sales violations: individuals up to 200,000 rubles (approximately $2,476), officials up to 500,000 rubles (approximately $6,190), and legal entities up to 2 million rubles (approximately $24,753).

Image source: RIA Novosti