Russia's Astrakhan Proposes Ban on Nicotine-Containing E-cigarettes

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Jan.05.2024
Russia's Astrakhan Proposes Ban on Nicotine-Containing E-cigarettes
Russia's Astrakhan regional council proposes a complete ban on nicotine e-liquids and related devices, with support from the federal health ministry.

According to the Russian media outlet Astrakhan's report on January 4th, the regional council of Astrakhan, Russia, has proposed a complete ban on nicotine-containing cigarettes, nicotine e-liquids, and related smoking devices. The latest update reveals that the proposal has garnered support from the Russian Federal Ministry of Health.

 

The Russian Ministry of Health emphasized that the use of e-cigarettes will increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, chronic lung diseases, and cancer. The likelihood of developing asthma will increase by 30%, while the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease will increase by 75%.

 

In the Astrakhan region, all levels of government are actively combating harmful habits for young people. As early as the beginning of 2020, the local council passed a regional law prohibiting the sale of nicotine products to minors. In July of the same year, a nationwide law came into effect banning the sale of tobacco, nicotine products, hookah, and the use of tobacco or nicotine products by minors.

 

The chairman of the local council, Igor Martynov, has highlighted that despite measures being taken, the use of smoking alternatives such as e-cigarettes is still on the rise. As a result, local representatives have proposed a complete ban on e-cigarettes and vaping devices, aiming to safeguard children from the detrimental effects of harmful dependencies to the greatest extent possible.

 

Five years ago, the Russian government approved a policy framework aimed at combating the use of vaping and other nicotine-containing products by 2035. Last year, the government implemented a combination of measures to strengthen control over the production and distribution of nicotine e-liquid, which is used in nicotine consumption devices. According to the document, current laws require some amendments.

 

The sale of nicotine products aimed at minors has been prohibited in Russia. According to a statement from the Russian Ministry of Health, responding to the Astrakhan regional council, they expressed that "in the 'bundle of measures,' the sale of nicotine e-liquids and related devices should also be prohibited.

 

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

South Korea's Tobacco Plan Excludes 6-Methyl Nicotine as Customs Tightens Import Controls and Analog Liquid Imports Fall 83%
South Korea's Tobacco Plan Excludes 6-Methyl Nicotine as Customs Tightens Import Controls and Analog Liquid Imports Fall 83%
South Korea's government unveiled its first Tobacco Harm Management Basic Plan for 2027–2031 on October 29, 2026, proposing broader testing of vaping and heated tobacco products while excluding nicotine analogs such as 6-methyl nicotine. Synthetic nicotine came under tobacco regulation on April 24, and a June investigation found 6-methyl nicotine in 12 liquid inhalation products marketed as nicotine-free. Customs data released in September showed that imports of nicotine analog solutions fell 83.3%, from 12 metric tons in January–April to 2 metric tons in May–August. By September 20, imports had reached approximately 15 metric tons for the year, with 99.99% originating from China. Customs authorities have tightened pre-clearance testing and supply-chain documentation requirements, while the MFDS expects to complete its assessment of nicotine analog hazards by the end of 2026.
Regulations
Nov.04
IKE Tech Launches IKE 2.0 Compliance Platform for Nicotine Products
IKE Tech Launches IKE 2.0 Compliance Platform for Nicotine Products
IKE Tech launched IKE 2.0 on September 28, initially targeting nicotine products with a platform that combines user identity verification, product authentication, configurable policy controls and data analytics. Products can be authenticated through direct device integration or NFC smart tags. IKE Tech was formed with participation from Ispire's Aspire North America, Berify and Chemular, with Ispire currently holding a 40% interest. Its age-verification component PMTA was accepted by the FDA in 2025 and remains under review. The company did not disclose customer names, commercial deployment volumes, pricing or revenue tied to IKE 2.0.
News
Sep.29 by 2Firsts Perspectives
BAT Adds Former Apple General Counsel Bruce Sewell to Board as Finance, Legal, Marketing and Regional Leadership Shift
BAT Adds Former Apple General Counsel Bruce Sewell to Board as Finance, Legal, Marketing and Regional Leadership Shift
British American Tobacco has appointed former Apple Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary Bruce Sewell as an independent non-executive director, effective January 1, 2027. He will also join BAT's Audit and Nominations Committees. BAT Chair Luc Jobin highlighted Sewell's experience in technology, government and regulatory affairs, public-company governance and AI-company boards. Over the past 18 months, BAT has changed or announced changes to its CFO, general counsel, CMO and APMEA regional leadership, while the main board has also seen multiple changes. The appointment comes as BAT advances Horizon 2030 and its Fit2Win transformation while expanding New Categories and reshaping parts of its digital, technology and operating structure.
Business
Oct.29
EU Tobacco Tax Reform Stalls as Malta Withholds Support Despite Backing From 26 States
EU Tobacco Tax Reform Stalls as Malta Withholds Support Despite Backing From 26 States
EU finance ministers failed to reach agreement on tobacco excise reform at the November 9, 2026 Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) meeting in Brussels. The Irish Council presidency's compromise secured support from 26 of the EU's 27 member states, but Malta withheld consent, preventing the Council from reaching a general approach requiring unanimity. The reform would raise minimum taxes on conventional tobacco and bring e-cigarette liquids, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches into a common EU minimum excise framework. Finland and Estonia accepted further concessions during the meeting, while the presidency proposed separating the inclusion of nicotine pouches in the framework from setting their precise minimum tax rates. Another compromise would allow ten qualifying member states until 2036 to meet certain tobacco excise requirements. Ireland intends to continue negotiations in December.
Regulations
Nov.11
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
Kumulus Vape2026 H1 Revenue Falls 8.3% but Profit Rises 24% as B2B Weakens and Consumer Channels Grow
Kumulus Vape2026 H1 Revenue Falls 8.3% but Profit Rises 24% as B2B Weakens and Consumer Channels Grow
French vaping company Kumulus Vape reported first-half 2026 revenue of €25.5 million, down 8.3% year over year, as its core B2B distribution business fell 11% to €21.6 million. B2C and store-network revenue rose 5.6% and 17.8%, respectively. Commercial margin increased to 26.3% from 21.7%, while net profit rose 24.1% to €0.8 million. The company attributed the profitability improvement to catalog optimization, logistics restructuring and the ramp-up of Labster, its in-house production unit for proprietary brands.
Market
Sep.17 by 2Firsts Perspectives