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

Product | PMI Launches ZYN Melts in UK, Extending ZYN Beyond Nicotine Pouches Into Dissolvable Tablets
Product | PMI Launches ZYN Melts in UK, Extending ZYN Beyond Nicotine Pouches Into Dissolvable Tablets
Philip Morris International (PMI) has launched ZYN Melts in the UK, introducing a fully dissolvable oral nicotine tablet format alongside the brand's existing nicotine pouches. The range includes Cool Mint and Peppermint, each offered at 1mg and 2mg of nicotine per tablet, creating four SKUs. Each can contains 20 tablets and is priced at £6.50 in the UK. Unlike ZYN nicotine pouches, Melts are placed between the upper lip and gum and dissolve completely during use.
News
Sep.29 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Product | BAT Launches VELO WRKS Nicotine Pouches in Sweden, Introducing Dual-Compartment Cans With Two Flavours
Product | BAT Launches VELO WRKS Nicotine Pouches in Sweden, Introducing Dual-Compartment Cans With Two Flavours
British American Tobacco (BAT)'s VELO brand launched the VELO WRKS nicotine pouch range in Sweden on November 2, 2026. The initial release features three Dual Can variants, each containing two separate flavours in a dual-compartment container. Each can holds 20 slim pouches with 8mg of nicotine per pouch and retails for SEK 52.99. According to VELO, the first release, Drop 1, is limited to 75,000 cans and will remain available until February 2027 or while stocks last. VELO positions WRKS as a platform for testing new product concepts and has introduced an online consumer feedback survey. EU trademark records show BAT applied to register VELO WRKS in March 2026 under Class 34, covering nicotine pouches, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and other tobacco-related goods.
product
Nov.03
Altria’s USSTC Starts $250 Million Kentucky Expansion, Adding More Than 200 Jobs
Altria’s USSTC Starts $250 Million Kentucky Expansion, Adding More Than 200 Jobs
U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company, an Altria Group company, has broken ground on an approximately $250 million manufacturing expansion in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. The roughly 270,000-square-foot facility is expected to create more than 200 jobs and absorb processing, manufacturing and packaging operations currently split between Hopkinsville and Nashville, Tennessee. USSTC previously said production at its Nashville facility is expected to wind down by early 2028. The project forms part of Altria’s broader effort to modernize and consolidate its U.S. smokeless tobacco manufacturing network.
Sep.10
EU Tobacco Tax Reform Targets November Push as Sweden Holds Nicotine-Pouch Minimum at €20 per Kilogram
EU Tobacco Tax Reform Targets November Push as Sweden Holds Nicotine-Pouch Minimum at €20 per Kilogram
The Irish presidency of the Council of the European Union is using bilateral talks to push the bloc’s Tobacco Taxation Directive toward a political agreement in November. According to Law360, citing an EU official, Sweden is unwilling to accept a minimum excise threshold above €20 per kilogram for nicotine pouches. Council negotiations have already lowered the European Commission’s original proposal, but a May 2026 presidency compromise still set the minimum at 10% of the tax-inclusive retail price or €30 per kilogram in 2028-29, with higher levels later.
Market
Sep.17 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Altria Showcases Ploom, Marlboro Heated Tobacco Sticks and Non-Nicotine Energy Products at NACS Show 2026
Altria Showcases Ploom, Marlboro Heated Tobacco Sticks and Non-Nicotine Energy Products at NACS Show 2026
At the 2026 NACS Show, Altria displayed Ploom devices alongside imagery of Marlboro-branded heated tobacco sticks, while also featuring RIOT Energy and Proper Wild non-nicotine products. The booth showcased on! PLUS nicotine pouches, including 12 mg variants not listed among FDA-authorized products as of October 9, and NJOY e-cigarettes. Altria also presented convenience-store traffic figures highlighting its retail presence. 2Firsts examines the company's expanded product portfolio, non-nicotine business activities and the regulatory status of products displayed at the show.
EXPO
Oct.10
How Many Nicotine Pouch Factories Does Europe Need? 2Firsts Interviews AIRSCREAM on the OEM Market
How Many Nicotine Pouch Factories Does Europe Need? 2Firsts Interviews AIRSCREAM on the OEM Market
At InterTabac 2026, nicotine pouch growth was visible not only in brands but across equipment, raw materials and OEM manufacturing. 2Firsts interviewed AIRSCREAM commercial head Steve Moore on how many pouch factories Europe may ultimately need and where manufacturers can differentiate, from formulation and flavour to pouch materials, production consistency and customer service. The category continues to expand, but questions remain over future capacity, consolidation and the long-term structure of the supply chain.
Sep.18