Key points:
Licensing system effective date: Starting from September 2026, all retailers in Russia engaged in the sale of tobacco (including e-cigarettes and hookahs) must operate with a valid license.
Regulatory agency confirms: the authority to issue licenses belongs to the Russian State Alcohol and Tobacco Regulatory Agency (Росалкогольрегулирование).
Strict punishment mechanism: Once a violation occurs, even if it is just once, the permit could be revoked.
Costs and Duration: The retail license fee is 60,000 rubles (approximately $720), while the wholesale fee is 800,000 rubles (approximately $9,700); both licenses are valid for five years and must be renewed by paying the fee again.
According to a report by Newsinfo on April 17th, the Russian government has approved a trade permit system for tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and hookahs. This new policy will come into effect in September 2026, requiring all retailers selling tobacco products to obtain a special permit.
According to the new regulations, the issuance of licenses will be overseen by the Russian Federal Service for the Regulation of Alcohol and Tobacco (Rosalkogolregulirovanie). If businesses violate the regulations, their licenses may be revoked even for a single violation.
The Russian Ministry of Finance has proposed that the cost of obtaining a retail license be set at 60,000 rubles (approximately $720), while the cost of a wholesale license would be 800,000 rubles (about $9,700). The licenses would be valid for five years, and renewal would also require payment of fees.
Earlier, Russian President Putin announced that fines for selling e-cigarettes to children will be increased to 2 million rubles ($24,000). Additionally, violating restrictions in the retail trade of tobacco products will result in fines of up to 120,000 rubles ($1,400).
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