Russia's Illegal Tobacco Sales Cause Billions in Losses

Feb.17.2023
Russia's Illegal Tobacco Sales Cause Billions in Losses
A study by ANO reveals that St. Petersburg will lose 2 billion rubles due to illegal tobacco sales in 2022.

According to a study conducted by ANO (Russia's National Research Center for the Study of the Capacity to Combat the Illegal Trafficking of Industrial Products), St. Petersburg is expected to lose 2 billion rubles ($18.3 million) by 2022 due to the sale of illegal tobacco products. Currently, the average level of illegal tobacco sales in Russia is around 12%. Smuggled cigarettes imported into Russia from the Eurasian Economic Union, particularly those from Belarus, have the highest proportion in illegal sales, reaching 88.4%.


References:


St. Petersburg has lost 2 billion rubles due to counterfeit cigarettes.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

 Philip Morris Lowers Profit Outlook as Zyn Faces Competition and FDA Delays
Philip Morris Lowers Profit Outlook as Zyn Faces Competition and FDA Delays
According to Reuters, Philip Morris International (PMI) lowered its 2026 adjusted earnings-per-share forecast amid regulatory uncertainty around Zyn nicotine pouches, rising competition and shipment pressure in the U.S. market.
PMI
Jun.02
Nicotine Beyond Tobacco? Cell Study Signals Emerging Shift in Production Systems
Nicotine Beyond Tobacco? Cell Study Signals Emerging Shift in Production Systems
Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences reconstructed nicotine biosynthesis in non-tobacco plants and yeast systems, highlighting how advances in synthetic biology could gradually reshape future nicotine production technologies and challenge regulatory frameworks built around tobacco-derived definitions.
Special Report
May.07
Putin Signs Russia’s Tobacco and Nicotine Product Licensing Law, Banning Unlicensed Sales From 2027
Putin Signs Russia’s Tobacco and Nicotine Product Licensing Law, Banning Unlicensed Sales From 2027
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law introducing mandatory licensing for wholesale and retail trade in tobacco and nicotine-containing products, with the system taking effect on October 1, 2026, and unlicensed operations banned from March 1, 2027, while vape and e-liquid retail may also face uncertainty from temporary regional sales-ban powers.
Jul.01
PMI’s ZYN Launches Loyalty Platform in Mexico, Tapping World Cup Viewing Scenes for Nicotine Pouch Marketing
PMI’s ZYN Launches Loyalty Platform in Mexico, Tapping World Cup Viewing Scenes for Nicotine Pouch Marketing
PMI’s nicotine pouch brand ZYN has launched the ZYN Club loyalty platform in Mexico and introduced ZYN Live Stadium viewing experiences around football matches, showing how nicotine pouch brands are using rewards, limited benefits and offline consumption settings to reach adult consumers.
Jun.29
 BAT Raises Growth Outlook for Smokeless Products as Velo and Vuse Gain Momentum
BAT Raises Growth Outlook for Smokeless Products as Velo and Vuse Gain Momentum
British American Tobacco (BAT) has raised its growth outlook for smokeless products, forecasting “mid-teens” growth for its new category portfolio, including vaping and nicotine pouch products, while global cigarette volumes are expected to decline further.
BAT
Jun.02
FDA Proposes Foreign Tobacco Factory Registration Rule to Tighten Import Oversight
FDA Proposes Foreign Tobacco Factory Registration Rule to Tighten Import Oversight
The FDA has proposed a rule requiring foreign tobacco manufacturers to register facilities and list products before exporting to the U.S. If finalized, the rule could affect overseas OEM/ODM factories, contract manufacturers, specification developers, bulk product makers, and repackaging or relabeling firms. FDA says the proposal would help identify unauthorized imported tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.
Special Report
Jun.26